Tumor antigen-derived gene 16 (TADG-16): a novel extracellular serine protease and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a DNA encoding a TADG-16 protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein. Also provided is a vector capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention adapted for expression in a recombinant cell and regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in the cell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the fields of cellular biology and the diagnosis of neoplastic disease. More specifically, the present invention relates to an extracellular serine protease termed Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-16 (TADG-16), which is expressed in normal ovaries and testes, as well as certain ovarian carcinomas.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] To date, ovarian cancer remains the number one killer of women with gynecologic malignant hyperplasia. Approximately 75% of women diagnosed with such cancers are already at the high-stage (III and IV) of the disease at their initial diagnosis. During the past 20 years, neither diagnosis nor five year survival have greatly improved for these patients. This is substantially due to the significant number of high-stage initial detections of the disease. Therefore, the challenge remains to develop new markers to improve early diagnosis, and thereby reduce the percentage of high-stage initial diagnoses.

[0005] A good tumor marker useful as an indicator of early disease is needed. Extra-cellular proteases have already been implicated in the growth, spread and metastatic progression of many cancers, thereby implying that some extracellular proteases may be candidates for marker of neoplastic development. This is in part due to the ability of malignant cells not only to grow in situ, but to dissociate from the primary tumor and to invade new surfaces (metastasize). The ability to disengage from one tissue and re-engage the surface of another tissue is what results in the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.

[0006] In order for malignant cells to grow, spread or metastasize, they must have the capacity to invade local host tissue, dissociate or shed from the primary tumor, and for metastasis to occur, enter and survive in the bloodstream, implant by invasion into the surface of the target organ and establish an environment conducive for new colony growth (including the induction of angiogenic and growth factors). During this progression, natural tissue barriers have to be degraded, including basement membranes and connective tissue. These barriers further include collagen, laminin, proteoglycans and extracellular matrix glycoproteins, such as fibronectin.

[0007] Degradation of these natural barriers, both surrounding the primary tumor and at sites of metastatic invasion, is believed to be brought about by the action of extracellular proteases. Proteases have been classified into four families: serine proteases, metallo-proteases, aspartic proteases and cysteine proteases. Many proteases have been shown to be involved in the human disease process and these enzymes are targets for inhibition by new therapeutic agents.

[0008] Certain individual proteases have already been shown to be induced and overexpressed in a diverse group of cancers, and as such, are potential candidates for markers useful for early diagnosis and possibly therapeutic intervention. Examples of proteases, encompassing members of the metallo-proteases, serine proteases, and cysteine proteases, are listed below. TABLE 1 Protease Expression in Various Cancers Gastric Brain Breast Ovarian Serine uPA uPA NES-1 NES-1 Proteases PAI-1 PAI-1 uPA uPA tPA PAI-2 Cysteine Cathepsin B Cathepsin L Cathepsin B Cathepsin B Proteases Cathepsin L Cathepsin L Cathepsin L Metallo- Matrilysin* Matrilysin Stromelysin-3 MMP-2 proteases Collagenase* Stromelysin MMP-8 Stromelysin-1* Gelatinase B MMP-9 Gelatinase A

[0009] uPA, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator; tPA, Tissue-type plasminogen activator; PAI-I, Plasminogen activator 0 inhibitors; PAI-2, Plasminogen activator inhibitors; NES-1, Normal epithelial cell-specific-1; MMP, Matrix P metallo-protease. *Overexpressed in gastrointestinal ulcers.

[0010] Significantly, there is a good body of evidence supporting the down regulation or inhibition of individual proteases and a subsequent reduction in invasive capacity or malignancy. In work by Clark et al., (Peptides, 14, 1021-8 (1993)) inhibition of in vitro growth of human small cell lung cancer was demonstrated using a general serine protease inhibitor. More recently, Torres-Rosedo et al., (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 7181-7185 (1993)) demonstrated an inhibition of hepatoma tumor cell growth using specific antisense inhibitors for the serine protease hepsin gene. Metastatic potential has also been shown to be reduced using a synthetic inhibitor (batimastat) of metallo-protease in a mouse model with melanoma cells. Powell et al. (Cancer Research, 53, 417-422 (1993)) presented evidence to confirm that the expression of extracellular proteases in relatively non-invasive tumor cells enhances their malignant progression using a tumor-genic, but non-metastatic, prostate cell line. Specifically, Powell et al. demonstrated enhanced metastasis after introducing and expressing the PUMP-1 metallo-protease gene. There is also a body of data to support the notion that expression of cell surface proteases on relatively non-metastatic cell types increases the invasive potential of such cells.

[0011] Extracellular proteases have been directly associated with tumor growth, shedding of tumor cells and invasion of target organs by tumors. Individual classes of proteases are involved in, but not limited to, (a) digestion of stroma surrounding the initial tumor area; (b) digestion of the cellular adhesion molecules to allow dissociation of tumor cells; and (c) invasion of the basement membrane for metastatic growth and the activation of both tumor growth factors and angiogenic factors.

[0012] Interfering in the intracellular signal transduction pathways provides mechanisms for numerous therapeutic applications. While several proteins have been identified that interfere with various signal transduction mechanisms, novel proteins involved in signal transduction pathways are important to provide alternatives for therapy and drug development.

[0013] The prior art is deficient in that the prior art lacks the nucleotide and amino acid sequences corresponding to tumor antigen-derived gene 16 (TADG-16). The prior art further lacks effective means of screening to identify proteases, specifically TADG-16, expressed in normal ovaries and testes and certain ovarian carcinomas. The present invention fulfills this longstanding need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention describes a new serine protease enzyme. The TADG-16 enzyme contains the characteristic features of a serine protease, including the conserved catalytic triad (His-Asp-Ser) and a secretion signal sequence. The TADG-16 transcript is present in carcinomas and normal ovarian tissues as well as in normal testes. Because TADG-16 is secreted and has a potential for extracellular activation, TADG-16 may have a role in normal or aberrant physiological activity of ovary or testes.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a DNA encoding a tumor antigen-derived gene (TADG-16) protein, selected from the following: (a) an isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) an isolated DNA which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) an isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein. The embodiment further includes a vector comprising the TADG-16 DNA and regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in a cell. Additionally embodied is a vector in which the TADG-16 DNA is positioned in reverse orientation relative to the regulatory elements such that TADG-16 antisense mRNA is produced.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an isolated and purified TADG-16 protein coded for by DNA selected from the following: (a) an isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) an isolated DNA which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) an isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein.

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting TADG-16 mRNA in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) contacting a sample with a probe which is specific for TADG-16; and (b) detecting binding of the probe to TADG-16 mRNA in the sample. In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit for detecting TADG-16 mRNA, comprising an oligonucleotide probe specific for TADG-16. A label for detection is further embodied in the kit.

[0018] The present invention additionally embodies a method of detecting TADG-16 protein in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) contacting a sample with an antibody which is specific for TADG-16 or a fragment thereof; and (b) detecting binding of the antibody to TADG-16 protein in the sample. Similarly, the present invention also embodies a kit for detecting TADG-16 protein, comprising an antibody specific for TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof. Means for detection of the antibody is further embodied in the kit.

[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an antibody specific for the TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of screening for compounds that inhibit TADG-16, comprising the steps of (a) contacting a sample comprising TADG-16 protein with a compound; and (b) assaying for TADG-16 protease activity. Typically, a decrease in the TADG-16 protease activity in the presence of the compound relative to TADG-16 protease activity in the absence of the compound is indicative of a compound that inhibits TADG-16.

[0021] In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of inhibiting expression of TADG-16 in a cell, comprising the step of (a) introducing a vector into a cell, whereupon expression of the vector produces TADG-16 antisense mRNA in the cell which hybridizes to endogenous TADG-16 mRNA, thereby inhibiting expression of TADG-16 in the cell.

[0022] Further embodied by the present invention, there is provided a method of inhibiting a TADG-16 protein in a cell, comprising the step of (a) introducing an antibody specific for a TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof into a cell, whereupon binding of the antibody to the TADG-16 protein inhibits the TADG-16 protein.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of targeted therapy to an individual, comprising the step of (a) administering a compound containing a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety to an individual, wherein the targeting moiety is specific for TADG-16.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of diagnosing cancer in an individual, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a biological sample from an individual; and (b) detecting TADG-16 in the sample. Typically, the presence of TADG-16 in the sample is indicative of the presence of carcinoma in the individual and the absence of TADG-16 in the sample is indicative of the absence of carcinoma in the individual.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of vaccinating an individual against TADG-16, comprising the steps of (a) inoculating an individual with a TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof that lacks TADG-16 protease activity. It is intended that inoculation with the TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof elicits an immune response in the individual, thereby vaccinating the individual against TADG-16.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic fragment of TADG-16 and an appropriate adjuvant.

[0027] Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention given for the purpose of disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.

[0029]FIG. 1 shows an alignment of a portion of the TADG-16 protein sequence (SEQ ID No. 7) with other known proteases (Prom, Protease M (SEQ ID No. 3); Tryl, Trypsinogen 1 (SEQ ID No. 4); SCCE, Stratum corneum chymotryptic like enzyme (SEQ ID No. 5); and Heps, Hepsin (SEQ ID No. 6)).

[0030]FIG. 2 shows Northern blot analysis of multiple human tissues using the radioactively labeled catalytic domain as a probe. The 1.4 Kb TADG-16 transcript is present in normal human testes and in certain ovarian tumors, but is not detectable a t significant levels in other tissues examined. Hybridization of mRNA to β-tubulin is shown as an internal control.

[0031]FIG. 3A shows the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of the original subclone from the WISH cDNA containing the TADG-16 catalytic domain.

[0032]FIG. 3B shows a sequence identified from the EST database (Accession #AA620757) with homology to the TADG-16 catalytic domain (encoding bases 614 to 1129) and including the 3′-untranslated region and poly (A) tail of the TADG-16 transcript.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows the nucleotide sequence of the TADG-16 cDNA and the predicted amino acid sequence. The cDNA corresponding to TADG-16 contains a Kozak's consensus sequence (boxed nucleotides) for the initiation of translation from which a putative protein of 314 amino acids is encoded. The protein contains a secretion signal sequence (italicized) and the conserved amino acids of the catalytic triad of the serine protease family (circled) in the appropriate context (underlined residues). The cDNA also contains a polyadenylation sequence in the 3′ untranslated region (underlined nucleotides).

[0034]FIG. 5 shows TADG-16 (and β-tubulin) expression in normal and carcinoma cell lines.

[0035]FIG. 6 shows TADG-16 expression in normal (N), benign (B), low malignant potential (LMP) tumors and carcinomas (C).

[0036]FIG. 6A shows quantitative PCR of TADG-16 (250 bp) and internal control, β-tubulin (470 bp). Lanes 1-3, normal ovary (cases 5-7, respectively); Lanes 4-5, benign mucinous adenoma tumor (cases 8 & 11, respectively); Lane 6, serous LMP tumor (case 14); Lanes 7-8, clear cell carcinoma (cases 20 & 21, respectively); Lanes 9-11, serous adenocarcinoma (cases 22, 29 and 32, respectively); Lane 12, endometrioid adenocarcinoma (case 35).

[0037]FIG. 6B shows a graph of expression of TADG-16 in normal ovaries and ovarian benign, LMP and carcinoma tumors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] This invention describes a new serine protease enzyme complementary to the series of proteases already identified and characterized in ovarian carcinoma. The TADG-16 enzyme contains the characteristic features of all serine proteases, including the conserved catalytic triad of His-Asp-Ser and a signal secretion sequence. The transcript for this enzyme is present in carcinomas and normal ovarian tissues as well as in normal testes. Because TADG-16 is secreted and has a potential for extracellular activation, TADG-16 may have a role in normal or aberrant physiological activity (i.e., normal or carcinomatous growth) of ovary or testes. Furthermore, because of the presence of TADG-16 mRNA in normal testes, there is a potential role for TADG-16 in normal testicular function (e.g., sterility).

[0039] The TADG-16 cDNA is 1129 base pairs long (SEQ ID No. 1) and encodes a 314 amino acid protein (SEQ ID No. 2).

[0040] In accordance with the present invention there may be employed conventional molecular biology, microbiology, and recombinant DNA techniques within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature. See, e.g., Maniatis, Fritsch & Sambrook, “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (1982); “DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach,” Volumes I and II (D. N. Glover ed. 1985); “Oligonucleotide Synthesis” (M. J. Gait ed. 1984); “Nucleic Acid Hybridization” [B. D. Hames & S. J. Higgins eds. (1985)]; “Transcription and Translation” [B. D. Hames & S. J. Higgins eds. (1984)]; “Animal Cell Culture” [R. I. Freshney, ed. (1986)]; “Immobilized Cells And Enzymes” [IRL Press, (1986)]; B. Perbal, “A Practical Guide To Molecular Cloning” (1984).

[0041] Therefore, if appearing herein, the following terms shall have the definitions set out below.

[0042] As used herein, the term “cDNA” shall refer to the DNA copy of the mRNA transcript of a gene.

[0043] As used herein, the term “derived amino acid sequence” shall mean the amino acid sequence determined by reading the triplet sequence of nucleotide bases in the cDNA.

[0044] As used herein the term “screening a library” shall refer to the process of using a labeled probe to check whether, under the appropriate conditions, there is a sequence complementary to the probe present in a particular DNA library. In addition, “screening a library” could be performed by PCR.

[0045] As used herein, the term “PCR” refers to the Polymerase Chain Reaction that is the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 to Mullis, as well as other improvements to the process/technique of PCR now known in the art.

[0046] The amino acid described herein are preferred to be in the “L” isomeric form. However, residues in the “D” isomeric form can be substituted for any L-amino acid residue, as long as the desired functional property of immunoglobulin-binding is retained by the polypeptide. NH₂ refers to the free amino group present at the amino terminus of a polypeptide. COOH refers to the free carboxy group present at the carboxy terminus of a polypeptide. In keeping with standard polypeptide nomenclature, J Biol. Chem., 243:3552-59 (1969), abbreviations for amino acid residues are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2 Symbol 1 Letter 3 Letter Amino acid A Ala Alanine C Cys Cysteine D Asp Aspartic acid E Glu Glutamic acid F Phe Phenylalanine G Gly Glycine H His Histidine I Ile Isoleucine K Lys Lysine L Leu Leucine M Met Methionine N Asn Asparagine P Pro Proline Q Gln Glutamine R Arg Arginine S Ser Serine T Thr Threonine V Val Valine W Trp Tryptophan Y Tyr Tyrosine

[0047] It should be noted that all amino-acid residue sequences are represented herein by formulae whose left and right orientation is in the conventional direction of amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus. Furthermore, it should be noted that a dash at the beginning or end of an amino acid residue sequence indicates a peptide bond to a further sequence of one or more amino-acid residues. The above table is presented to correlate the three-letter and one-letter notations which may appear alternately herein.

[0048] A “replicon” is any genetic element (e.g., plasmid, chromosome, virus) that functions as an autonomous unit of DNA replication in vivo; i.e., capable of replication under its own control.

[0049] A “vector” is a replicon, such as plasmid, phage or cosmid, to which another DNA segment may be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment.

[0050] A “DNA molecule” refers to the polymeric form of deoxyribonucleotides (adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine) in its either single stranded form, or a double-stranded helix. This term refers only to the primary and secondary structure of the molecule, and does not limit it to any particular tertiary forms. Thus, this term includes double-stranded DNA found, inter alia, in linear DNA molecules (e.g., restriction fragments), viruses, plasmids, and chromosomes. The structure is discussed herein according to the normal convention of giving only the 5′ to 3′ sequence of the nontranscribed strand of DNA (i.e., the strand having a sequence homologous to the mRNA).

[0051] An “origin of replication” refers to those DNA sequences that participate in DNA synthesis.

[0052] A DNA “coding sequence” is a double-stranded DNA sequence which is transcribed and translated into a polypeptide in vivo when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a start codon at the 5′ (amino) terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3′ (carboxyl) terminus. A coding sequence can include, but is not limited to, prokaryotic sequences, cDNA from eukaryotic mRNA, genomic DNA sequences from eukaryotic (e.g., mammalian) DNA, and even synthetic DNA sequences. A polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3′ to the coding sequence.

[0053] Transcriptional and translational control sequences are DNA regulatory sequences, such as promoters, enhancers, polyadenylation signals, terminators, and the like, that provide for the expression of a coding sequence in a host cell.

[0054] A “promoter sequence” is a DNA regulatory region capable of binding RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence. For purposes of defining the present invention, the promoter sequence is bounded at its 3′ terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5′ direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background. Within the promoter sequence will be found a transcription initiation site, as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase. Eukaryotic promoters often, but not always, contain “TATA” boxes and “CAT” boxes. Prokaryotic promoters contain Shine-Dalgarno sequences in addition to the −10 and −35 consensus sequences.

[0055] An “expression control sequence” is a DNA sequence that controls and regulates the transcription and translation of another DNA sequence. A coding sequence is “under the control” of transcriptional and translational control sequences in a cell when RNA polymerase transcribes the coding sequence into mRNA, which is then translated into the protein encoded by the coding sequence.

[0056] A “signal sequence” can be included near the coding sequence. This sequence encodes a signal peptide, N-terminal to the polypeptide, that communicates to the host cell to direct the polypeptide to the cell surface or secrete the polypeptide into the media, and this signal peptide is clipped off by the host cell before the protein leaves the cell. Signal sequences can be found associated with a variety of proteins native to prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

[0057] The term “oligonucleotide”, as used herein in referring to the probe of the present invention, is defined as a molecule comprised of two or more ribonucleotides, preferably more than three. Its exact size will depend upon many factors which, in turn, depend upon the ultimate function and use of the oligonucleotide.

[0058] The term “primer” as used herein refers to a n oligonucleotide, whether occurring naturally as in a purified restriction digest or produced synthetically, which is capable of acting as a point of initiation of synthesis when placed under conditions in which synthesis of a primer extension product, which is complementary to a nucleic acid strand, is induced, i.e., in the presence of nucleotides and an inducing agent such as a DNA polymerase and at a suitable temperature and pH. The primer may be either single-stranded or double-stranded and must be sufficiently long to prime the synthesis of the desired extension product in the presence of the inducing agent. The exact length of the primer will depend upon many factors, including temperature, source of primer and use the method. For example, for diagnostic applications, depending on the complexity of the target sequence, the oligonucleotide primer typically contains 15-25 or more nucleotides, although it may contain fewer nucleotides.

[0059] The primers herein are selected to be “substantially” complementary to different strands of a particular target DNA sequence. This means that the primers must be sufficiently complementary to hybridize with their respective strands. Therefore, the primer sequence need not reflect the exact sequence of the template. For example, a non-complementary nucleotide fragment may be attached to the 5′ end of the primer, with the remainder of the primer sequence being complementary to the strand. Alternatively, non-complementary bases or longer sequences can be interspersed into the primer, provided that the primer sequence has sufficient complementary with the sequence or hybridize therewith and thereby form the template for the synthesis of the extension product.

[0060] As used herein, the terms “restriction endonucleases” and “restriction enzymes” refer to enzymes, each of which cut double-stranded DNA at or near a specific nucleotide sequence.

[0061] A cell has been “transformed” by exogenous or heterologous DNA when such DNA has been introduced inside the cell. The transforming DNA may or may not be integrated (covalently linked) into the genome of the cell. In prokaryotes, yeast, and mammalian cells for example, the transforming DNA may be maintained on an episomal element such as a plasmid. With respect to eukaryotic cells, a stably transformed cell is one in which the transforming DNA has become integrated into a chromosome so that it is inherited by daughter cells through chromosome replication. This stability is demonstrated by the ability of the eukaryotic cell to establish cell lines or clones comprised of a population of daughter cells containing the transforming DNA. A “clone” is a population of cells derived from a single cell or ancestor by mitosis. A “cell line” is a clone of a primary cell that is capable of stable growth in vitro for many generations.

[0062] Two DNA sequences are “substantially homologous” when at least about 75% (preferably at least about 80%, and most preferably at least about 90% or 95%) of the nucleotides match over the defined length of the DNA sequences. Sequences that are substantially homologous can be identified by comparing the sequences using standard software available in sequence data banks, or in a Southern hybridization experiment under, for example, stringent conditions as defined for that particular system. Defining appropriate hybridization conditions is within the skill of the art. See, e.g., Maniatis et al., supra; DNA Cloning, Vols. I & II, supra; Nucleic Acid Hybridization, supra.

[0063] A “heterologous” region of the DNA construct is a n identifiable segment of DNA within a larger DNA molecule that is not found in association with the larger molecule in nature. Thus, when the heterologous region encodes a mammalian gene, the gene will usually be flanked by DNA that does not flank the mammalian genomic DNA in the genome of the source organism. In another example, coding sequence is a construct where the coding sequence itself is not found in nature (e.g., a cDNA where the genomic coding sequence contains introns, or synthetic sequences having codons different than the native gene). Allelic variations or naturally-occurring mutational events do not give rise to a heterologous region of DNA as defined herein.

[0064] The labels most commonly employed for these studies are radioactive elements, enzymes, chemicals which fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light, and others. A number of fluorescent materials are known and can be utilized as labels. These include, for example, fluorescein, rhodamine, auramine, Texas Red, AMCA blue and Lucifer Yellow. A particular detecting material is anti-rabbit antibody prepared in goats and conjugated with fluorescein through an isothiocyanate.

[0065] Proteins can also be labeled with a radioactive element or with an enzyme. The radioactive label can be detected by any of the currently available counting procedures. The preferred isotope may be selected from ³H, ¹⁴C, ³²P, ³⁵S, ³⁶Cl, ⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁸Co, ⁵⁹Fe, ⁹⁰Y, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, and ¹⁸⁶Re.

[0066] Enzyme labels are likewise useful, and can be detected by any of the presently utilized calorimetric, spectrophotometric, fluorospectrophotometric, amperometric or gasometric techniques. The enzyme is conjugated to the selected particle by reaction with bridging molecules such as carbodiimides, diisocyanates, glutaraldehyde and the like. Many enzymes which can be used in these procedures are known and can be utilized. The preferred are peroxidase, β-glucuronidase, β-D-glucosidase, β-D-galactosidase, urease, glucose oxidase plus peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,654,090, 3,850,752, and 4,016,043 are referred to by way of example for their disclosure of alternate labeling material and methods.

[0067] A particular assay system developed and utilized in the art is known as a receptor assay. In a receptor assay, the material to be assayed is appropriately labeled and then certain cellular test colonies are inoculated with a quantitiy of both the label after which binding studies are conducted to determine the extent to which the labeled material binds to the cell receptors. In this way, differences in affinity between materials can be ascertained.

[0068] An assay useful in the art is known as a “cis/trans” assay. Briefly, this assay employs two genetic constructs, one of which is typically a plasmid that continually expresses a particular receptor of interest when transfected into an appropriate cell line, and the second of which is a plasmid that expresses a reporter such as luciferase, under the control of a receptor/ligand complex. Thus, for example, if it is desired to evaluate a compound as a ligand for a particular receptor, one of the plasmids would be a construct that results in expression of the receptor in the chosen cell line, while the second plasmid would possess a promoter linked to the luciferase gene in which the response element to the particular receptor is inserted. If the compound under test is an agonist for the receptor, the ligand will complex with the receptor, and the resulting complex will bind the response element and initiate transcription of the luciferase gene. The resulting chemiluminescence is then measured photometrically, and dose response curves are obtained and compared to those of known ligands. The foregoing protocol is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,784.

[0069] As used herein, the term “host” is meant to include not only prokaryotes but also eukaryotes such as yeast, plant and animal cells. A recombinant DNA molecule or gene which encodes a human TADG-16 protein of the present invention can be used to transform a host using any of the techniques commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Especially preferred is the use of a vector containing coding sequences for the gene which encodes a human TADG-16 protein of the present invention for purposes of prokaryote transformation. Prokaryotic hosts may include E. coli, S. tymphimurium, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus subtilis. Eukaryotic hosts include yeasts such as Pichia pastoris, mammalian cells and insect cells.

[0070] In general, expression vectors containing promoter sequences which facilitate the efficient transcription of the inserted DNA fragment are used in connection with the host. The expression vector typically contains an origin of replication, promoter(s), terminator(s), as well as specific genes which are capable of providing phenotypic selection in transformed cells. The transformed hosts can be fermented and cultured according to means known in the art to achieve optimal cell growth.

[0071] The invention includes a substantially pure DNA encoding a TADG-16 protein, a strand of which DNA will hybridize at high stringency to a probe containing a sequence of at least 15 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID No. 1. The protein encoded by the DNA of this invention may share at least 80% sequence identity (preferably 85%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably 95%) with the amino acids shown in SEQ ID No. 2. More preferably, the DNA includes the coding sequence of the nucleotides shown in SEQ ID No. 1, or a degenerate variant of such a sequence.

[0072] The probe to which the DNA of the invention hybridizes preferably consists of a sequence of at least 20 consecutive nucleotides, more preferably 40 nucleotides, even more preferably 50 nucleotides, and most preferably 100 nucleotides or more (up to 100%) of the coding sequence of the nucleotides shown in SEQ ID No. 1 or the complement thereof. Such a probe is useful for detecting expression of TADG-16 in a cell by a method including the steps of (a) contacting mRNA obtained from the cell with the labeled hybridization probe; and (b) detecting hybridization of the probe with the mRNA.

[0073] This invention also includes a substantially pure DNA containing a sequence of at least 15 consecutive nucleotides (preferably 20, more preferably 30, even more preferably 50, and most preferably all) of the region from nucleotides 1 to 3147 of the nucleotides shown in SEQ ID No. 1.

[0074] By “high stringency” is meant DNA hybridization and wash conditions characterized by high temperature and low salt concentration, e.g., wash conditions of 65° C. at a salt concentration of approximately 0.1× SSC, or the functional equivalent thereof. For example, high stringency conditions may include hybridization a t about 42° C. in the presence of about 50% formamide; a first wash a t about 65° C. with about 2× SSC containing 1% SDS; followed by a second wash at about 65° C. with about 0.1× SSC.

[0075] By “substantially pure DNA” is meant DNA that is not part of a milieu in which the DNA naturally occurs, by virtue of separation (partial or total purification) of some or all of the molecules of that milieu, or by virtue of alteration of sequences that flank the claimed DNA. The term therefore includes, for example, a recombinant DNA which is incorporated into a vector, into an autonomously replicating plasmid or virus, or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote; or which exists as a separate molecule (e.g., a cDNA or a genomic or cDNA fragment produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or restriction endonuclease digestion) independent of other sequences. It also includes a recombinant DNA which is part of a hybrid gene encoding additional polypeptide sequence, e.g., a fusion protein. Also included is a recombinant DNA which includes a portion of the nucleotides shown in SEQ ID No. 1 which encodes an alternative splice variant of TADG-16.

[0076] The DNA may have at least about 70% sequence identity to the coding sequence of the nucleotides shown in SEQ ID No. 1, preferably at least 75% (e.g., at least 80%); and most preferably at least 90%. The identity between two sequences is a direct function of the number of matching or identical positions. When a subunit position in both of the two sequences is occupied by the same monomeric subunit, e.g., if a given position is occupied by an adenine in each of two DNA molecules, then they are identical at that position. For example, if 7 positions in a sequence 10 nucleotides in length are identical to the corresponding positions in a second 10-nucleotide sequence, then the two sequences have 70% sequence identity. The length of comparison sequences will generally be at least 50 nucleotides, preferably at least 60 nucleotides, more preferably at least 75 nucleotides, and most preferably 100 nucleotides. Sequence identity is typically measured using sequence analysis software (e.g., Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705).

[0077] The present invention is directed towards a vector comprising a DNA sequence which encodes a TADG-16 protein, wherein the vector is capable of replication in a host cell, wherein the vector comprises, in operable linkage: a) an origin of replication; b) a promoter; and c) a DNA sequence coding for the TADG-16 protein. Preferably, the vector of the present invention contains a portion of the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1.

[0078] A “vector” may be defined as a replicable nucleic acid construct, e.g., a plasmid or viral nucleic acid. Vectors may be used to amplify and/or express nucleic acid encoding TADG-16 protein. An expression vector is a replicable construct in which a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide is operably linked to suitable control sequences capable of effecting expression of the polypeptide in a cell. The need for such control sequences will vary depending upon the cell selected and the transformation method chosen. Generally, control sequences include a transcriptional promoter and/or enhancer, suitable mRNA ribosomal binding sites, and sequences which control the termination of transcription and translation.

[0079] Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing appropriate transcriptional and translational control signals. See for example, the techniques described in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd Ed.), Cold Spring Harbor Press, N.Y. A gene and its transcription control sequences are defined as being “operably linked” if the transcription control sequences effectively control the transcription of the gene. Vectors of the invention include, but are not limited to, plasmid vectors and viral vectors. Preferred viral vectors of the invention are those derived from retroviruses, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, SV40 virus, or herpes viruses.

[0080] By a “substantially pure protein” is meant a protein which has been separated from at least some of those components which naturally accompany it. Typically, the protein is substantially pure when it is at least 60%, by weight, free from the proteins and other naturally-occurring organic molecules with which it is naturally associated in vivo. Preferably, the purity of the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight. A substantially pure TADG-16 protein may be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural source; by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an TADG-16 polypeptide; or by chemically synthesizing the protein. Purity can be measured by any appropriate method, e.g., column chromatography such as immunoaffinity chromatography using an antibody specific for TADG-16, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or HPLC analysis. A protein is substantially free of naturally associated components when it is separated from at least some of those contaminants which accompany it in its natural state. Thus, a protein which is chemically synthesized or produced in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates will be, by definition, substantially free from its naturally associated components. Accordingly, substantially pure proteins include eukaryotic proteins synthesized in E. coli, other prokaryotes, or any other organism in which they do not naturally occur.

[0081] In addition to substantially full-length proteins, the invention also includes fragments (e.g., antigenic fragments) of the TADG-16 protein (SEQ ID No. 2). As used herein, “fragment,” as applied to a polypeptide, will ordinarily be at least 10 residues, more typically at least 20 residues, and preferably at least 30 (e.g., 50) residues in length, but less than the entire, intact sequence. Fragments of the TADG-16 protein can be generated by methods known to those skilled in the art, e.g., by enzymatic digestion of naturally occurring or recombinant TADG-16 protein, by recombinant DNA techniques using an expression vector that encodes a defined fragment of TADG-16, or by chemical synthesis. The ability of a candidate fragment to exhibit a characteristic of TADG-16 (e.g., binding to an antibody specific for TADG-16) can be assessed by methods described herein. Purified TADG-16 or antigenic fragments of TADG-16 can be used to generate new antibodies or to test existing antibodies (e.g., as positive controls in a diagnostic assay) by employing standard protocols known to those skilled in the art.

[0082] Included in this invention are polyclonal antisera generated by using TADG-16 or a fragment of TADG-16 as the immunogen in, e.g., rabbits. Standard protocols for monoclonal and polyclonal antibody production known to those skilled in this art are employed. The monoclonal antibodies generated by this procedure can be screened for the ability to identify recombinant TADG-16 cDNA clones, and to distinguish them from known cDNA clones.

[0083] Further included in this invention are TADG-16 proteins which are encoded at least in part by portions of SEQ ID No. 2, e.g., products of alternative mRNA splicing or alternative protein processing events, or in which a section of TADG-16 sequence has been deleted. The fragment, or the intact TADG-16 polypeptide, may be covalently linked to another polypeptide, e.g., which acts as a label, a ligand or a means to increase antigenicity.

[0084] The invention also includes a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to TADG-16. The invention encompasses not only an intact monoclonal antibody, but also an immunologically-active antibody fragment, e.g., a Fab or (Fab)₂ fragment; an engineered single chain Fv molecule; or a chimeric molecule, e.g., an antibody which contains the binding specificity of one antibody, e.g., of murine origin, and the remaining portions of another antibody, e.g., of human origin.

[0085] In one embodiment, the antibody, or a fragment thereof, may be linked to a toxin or to a detectable label, e.g., a radioactive label, non-radioactive isotopic label, fluorescent label, chemiluminescent label, paramagnetic label, enzyme label, or colorimetric label. Examples of suitable toxins include diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A, ricin, and cholera toxin. Examples of suitable enzyme labels include malate hydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, delta-5-steroid isomerase, alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase, acetylcholinesterase, etc. Examples of suitable radioisotopic labels include ³H, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³²P, ³⁵ S, ¹⁴C.

[0086] Paramagnetic isotopes for purposes of in vivo diagnosis can also be used according to the methods of this invention. There are numerous examples of elements that are useful in magnetic resonance imaging. For discussions on in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, see, for example, Schaefer et al., (1989) JACC 14, 472-480; Shreve et al., (1986) Magn. Reson. Med. 3, 336-340; Wolf, G. L., (1984) Physiol. Chem. Phys. Med. NMR 16, 93-95; Wesbey et al., (1984) Physiol. Chem. Phys. Med. NMR 16, 145-155; Runge et al., (1984) Invest. Radiol. 19, 408-415. Examples of suitable fluorescent labels include a fluorescein label, an isothiocyalate label, a rhodamine label, a phycoerythrin label, a phycocyanin label, a n allophycocyanin label, an ophthaldehyde label, a fluorescamine label, etc. Examples of chemiluminescent labels include a luminal label, an isoluminal label, an aromatic acridinium ester label, a n imidazole label, an acridinium salt label, an oxalate ester label, a luciferin label, a luciferase label, an aequorin label, etc.

[0087] Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of other suitable labels which may be employed in accordance with the present invention. The binding of these labels to antibodies or fragments thereof can be accomplished using standard techniques commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typical techniques are described by Kennedy et al., (1976) Clin. Chim. Acta 70, 1-31; and Schurs et al., (1977) Clin. Chim. Acta .81, 1-40. Coupling techniques mentioned in the latter are the glutaraldehyde method, the periodate method, the dimaleimide method, the m-maleimidobenzyl-N-hydroxy-succinimide ester method. All of these methods are incorporated by reference herein.

[0088] Also within the invention is a method of detecting TADG-16 protein in a biological sample, which includes the steps of contacting the sample with the labeled antibody, e.g., radioactively tagged antibody specific for TADG-16, and determining whether the antibody binds to a component of the sample.

[0089] As described herein, the invention provides a number of diagnostic advantages and uses. For example, the TADG-16 protein is useful in diagnosing cancer in different tissues since this protein is highly overexpressed in tumor cells. Antibodies (or antigen-binding fragments thereof) which bind to an epitope specific for TADG-16, are useful in a method of detecting TADC-16 protein in a biological sample for diagnosis of cancerous or neoplastic transformation. This method includes the steps of obtaining a biological sample (e.g., cells, blood, plasma, tissue, etc.) from a patient suspected of having cancer, contacting the sample with a labeled antibody (e.g., radioactively tagged antibody) specific for TADG-16, and detecting the TADG-16 protein using standard immunoassay techniques such as an ELISA. Antibody binding to the biological sample indicates that the sample contains a component which specifically binds to an epitope within TADG-16.

[0090] Likewise, a standard Northern blot assay can be used to ascertain the relative amounts of TADG-16 mRNA in a cell or tissue obtained from a patient suspected of having cancer, in accordance with conventional Northern hybridization techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. This Northern assay uses a hybridization probe, e.g., radiolabelled TADG-16 cDNA, either containing the full-length, single stranded DNA having a sequence complementary to SEQ ID No. 1, or a fragment of that DNA sequence at least 20 (preferably at least 30, more preferably at least 50, and most preferably at least 100) consecutive nucleotides in length. The DNA hybridization probe can be labeled by any of the many different methods known to those skilled in this art.

[0091] Antibodies to the TADG-16 protein can be used in an immunoassay to detect increased levels of TADG-16 protein expression in tissues suspected of neoplastic transformation. These same uses can be achieved with Northern blot assays and analyses.

[0092] The TADG-16 cDNA is 1129 base pairs long (SEQ ID No. 1) encoding for a 314 amino acid protein (SEQ ID No. 2). The availability of the TADG-16 gene provides numerous utilities. For example, the TADG-16 gene can be used as a diagnostic or therapeutic target in ovarian and other carcinomas, including breast, prostate, lung and colon.

[0093] The present invention is directed to DNA encoding a tumor antigen-derived gene (TADG-16) protein, selected from (a) an isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) an isolated DNA which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) an isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein. It is preferred that the DNA has the sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1 and the TADG-16 protein has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 2.

[0094] The present invention is directed toward a vector comprising the TADG-16 DNA and regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in a cell, or a vector in which the TADG-16 DNA is positioned in reverse orientation relative to the regulatory elements such that TADG-16 antisense mRNA is produced. An antisense molecule corresponding to TADG-16 mRNA is shown in SEQ ID No. 16. The invention is also directed toward host cells transfected with either of the above-described vector(s). Representative host cells are bacterial cells, mammalian cells, plant cells and insect cells. Preferably, the bacterial cell is E. coli.

[0095] The present invention is directed toward an isolated and purified TADG-16 protein coded for by DNA selected from the following: (a) an isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) an isolated DNA which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) an isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein. Preferably, the protein has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 2.

[0096] The present invention is directed toward a method for detecting TADG-16 mRNA in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) contacting a sample with a probe which is specific for TADG-16; and (b) detecting binding of the probe to TADG-16 mRNA in the sample. The present invention is also directed toward a method of detecting TADG-16 protein in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) contacting a sample with an antibody which is specific for TADG-16 or a fragment thereof; and (b) detecting binding of the antibody to TADG-16 protein in the sample. Generally, the sample is a biological sample; preferably, the biological sample is from an individual; and typically, the individual is suspected of having cancer.

[0097] The present invention is directed toward a kit for detecting TADG-16 mRNA, comprising an oligonucleotide probe, wherein the probe is specific for TADG-16. The kit may further comprise a label with which to label the probe; and means for detecting the label. The present invention is additionally directed toward a kit for detecting TADG-16 protein, comprising an antibody which is specific for TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof. The kit may further comprise means to detect the antibody.

[0098] The present invention is directed toward a antibody which is specific for TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof.

[0099] The present invention is directed toward a method of screening for compounds that inhibit TADG-16, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a sample containing TADG-16 protein with a compound; and (b) assaying for TADG-16 protease activity. Typically, a decrease in the TADG-16 protease activity in the presence of the compound relative to TADG-16 protease activity in the absence of the compound is indicative of a compound that inhibits TADG-16.

[0100] The present invention is directed toward a method of inhibiting expression of TADG-16 in a cell, comprising the step of: (a) introducing a vector expressing TADG-16 antisense mRNA into a cell which hybridizes to endogenous TADG-16 mRNA, thereby inhibiting expression of TADG-16 in the cell. Generally, the inhibition of TADG-16 expression is for treating cancer.

[0101] The present invention is directed toward a method of inhibiting a TADG-16 protein in a cell, comprising the step of (a) introducing an antibody specific for a TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof into a cell which inhibits the TADG-16 protein. Generally, the inhibition of the TADG-16 protein is for treating cancer.

[0102] The present invention is directed toward a method of targeted therapy to an individual, comprising the step of (a) administering a compound having a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety to an individual, wherein the targeting moiety is specific for TADG-16. Representative targeting moiety are a n antibody specific for TADG-16, a ligand that binds TADG-16 or a ligand binding domain of TADG-16, e.g., a CUB domain, an LDLR domain, etc. Likewise, a representative therapeutic moiety is a radioisotope, a toxin, a chemotherapeutic agent, an immune stimulant or a cytotoxic agent. Typically, the above-described method is useful when the individual suffers from ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer or other cancers in which TADG-16 is overexpressed.

[0103] The present invention is directed toward a method of diagnosing cancer in an individual, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a biological sample from an individual; and (b) detecting TADG-16 in the sample. Generally, the presence of TADG-16 in the sample is indicative of the presence of carcinoma in the individual, and the absence of TADG-16 in the sample is indicative of the absence of carcinoma in the individual. Typically, the biological sample is blood, urine, saliva tears, interstitial fluid, ascites fliud, tumor tissue biopsy or circulating tumor cells. Representative means of detecting TADG-16 are by Northern blot, Western blot, PCR, dot blot, ELIZA sandwich assay, radioimmunoassay, DNA array chips or flow cytometry (after labeling tumor cells). This method may be useful in diagnosing cancers such as ovarian, breast, lung, colon, prostate and others with increased TADG-16 expression.

[0104] The present invention is also directed to an antisense oligonucleotide having the nucleotide sequence complementary to a TADG-16 mRNA sequence. The present invention is also directed to a composition comprising such an antisense oligonucleotide and a physiologically acceptable carrier therefore.

[0105] The present invention is also directed to a method of treating a neoplastic state in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to said individual an effective dose of an antisense oligonucleotide. Preferably, the neoplastic state is ovarian cancer, breast cancer and other cancers that exhibit TADG-16 overexpression. For such therapy, the oligonucleotides alone or in combination with other anti-neoplastic agents can be formulated for a variety of modes of administration, including systemic, topical or localized administration. Techniques and formulations generally can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.). The oligonucleotide active ingredient is generally combined with a pharamceutically accceptable carrier such as a diluent or excipient which can include fillers, extenders, binders, wetting agents, disintergrants, surface active agents or lubricants, depending on the nature of the mode of administration and dosage forms. Typical dosage forms include tablets, powders, liquid preparations including suspensions, emulsions, and solutions, granules, capsules and suppositories, as well as liquid preparations for injections, including liposome preparations.

[0106] For systemic administration, injection is preferred, including intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous. For injection, the oligonucleotides of the invention are formulated in liquid solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers. In addition, the oligonucleotides can be formulated in solid form and redissolved or suspended immediately prior to use. Lyophilized forms are also incldued. Dosages that can be used for systemic administration preferably range from about 0.01 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg administered once or twice per day. However, different dosing schedules can be utilized depending on (1) the potency of an individual oligonucleotide at inhibiting the activity of its target DNA, (2) the severity or extent of the pathological disease state, or (3) the pharmacokinetic behavior of a given oligonucleotide.

[0107] The present invention is directed toward a method of vaccinating an individual against TADG-16, comprising the steps of (a) inoculating an individual with a TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof which lacks TADG-16 protease activity. The inoculation with the TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof elicits an immune response in the individual, thereby vaccinating the individual against TADG-16. The vaccination with TADG-16 described herein is intended for an individual who has cancer, is suspected of having cancer or is a t risk of getting cancer. The present invention is also directed toward an immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic fragment of TADG-16 and an appropriate adjuvant. Generally, the TADG-16 fragment useful for vaccinating an individual consists of a 9-residue fragment up to and including a 20-residue fragment. Preferably, the 9-residue fragments have a sequence such as SEQ ID Nos. 17, 18, 19, 77, 78, 79, 80, 97, 98, 99, 137, 138, 139, 140 or 141. Other TADG-16 fragment useful for vaccinating an individual may be readily determined by an individual having ordinary skill in this art using routine techniques.

[0108] The present invention is further directed to a method of regulating the expression of the TADG-16 protein by designing antisense oligonucleotides directed to the DNA encoding the TADG -16 protein. A person having ordinary skill in this art would be able design such antisense oligonucleotides without undue experimentation.

[0109] The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion.

EXAMPLE 1

[0110] Cloning of the TADG-16 Catalytic Domain

[0111] Using WISH (an amnion derived cell line) cDNA (ATCC) as a template for PCR with degenerate primers designed to the conserved regions surrounding the invariant histidine and serine residues of the catalytic triad of the serine protease family of proteins, a 498 base pair product was obtained that was similar in particular consensus sequences to other known serine proteases (FIG. 1).

[0112] The sequences of the degenerate primers used in the initial PCR are as follows: Serp-S (Sense): 5′-TGGGTIGTIACIGCIGGICA(CT)TG-3′ (SEQ ID No:8); and Serp-S (Antisense): 5′-A(AG)IGGICCICCI(CG)(TA)(AG)TCICC-3′ (SEQ ID No:9).

[0113] Reactions were carried out as described by Underwood et al. (Cancer Res., 59, 4435-9 (1999)).

EXAMPLE 2

[0114] Detection of TADG-16 mRNA

[0115] Using the radioactively labeled catalytic domain as a probe, Northern blot analysis of multiple human tissues revealed that TADG-16 is highly expressed in normal human testes and in some ovarian tumors, but not detectable at significant levels in other tissues examined (FIG. 2). More importantly, Northern analysis showed that the TADG-16 transcript is approximately 1.4 kilobases in length.

EXAMPLE 3

[0116] Sequence Analysis of TADG-16

[0117] Comparison of the TADG-16 catalytic domain to the EST. database identified a homologous sequence (Accession No. AA620757) that overlapped a portion of the TADG-16 catalytic domain clone and also included the 3′-untranslated region and poly (A) tail of the TADG-16 transcript (FIG. 3). Comparison of the catalytic domain clone to the GenBank non-redundant database identified a genomic cosmid clone (Accession No. AC005361) homologous to the catalytic domain clone. Using the GRAIL exon identification program available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information, potential exons encoding the 5′ portion of the TADG-16 transcript were identified.

EXAMPLE 4

[0118] Cloning of the TADG-16 cDNA

[0119] A sense PCR primer (T16-F1: 5′-GTCAGGCCGCGGGAGAGGAG-3′ (SEQ ID No. 10)) was designed to the cDNA predicted by the Grail program and used in conjunction with an antisense primer (T16-R2: 5′-ACTCTGGGCCATCAGCTTCT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 11)) designed to the overlapping EST that included the polyA+tail (GenBank Accession No. AA620757 encoding bases 614 to 1129 of TADG-16). Additional antisense primers were utilized in 5′-RACE experiments using a human testes cDNA library as template to identify the 40-most 5′ bases. The sequence of the 5′-RACE primers are as follows: T16-R6: 5′-CGGAGGGATCACTAAGGTCACTATACGT-3′ (SEQ ID No.12); and T16-R7: 5′-TATACGTTTCAAAGCAGTGCGCCGCCGT-3′ (SEQ ID No.13).

[0120] This allowed for the identification of the 1129 bases of the sequence reported herein. Within this 1129 bases, there is a Kozak's consensus sequence for the initiation of translation, an open reading frame encoding a 314 amino acid protein and a polyadenylation signal.

EXAMPLE 5

[0121] Tissue-Specific Expression of TADG-16

[0122] Using a previously authenticated semi-quantitative PCR technique (Shigemasa et al., J. Soc. Gynecological Inv., 4, 95-102 (1997)), the expression level of the TADG-16 transcript was examined in normal ovarian tissue and ovarian tumor specimens. To do this, a TADG-16-specific PCR product was co-amplified with a PCR product for β-tubulin as an internal control. To amplify a 237 bp PCR product specific for TADG-16, the following primers were used: T16-F2: 5′-GGTCGCCATCATAAACAACT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 14); and T16-R2: 5′-ACTCTGGGCCATCAGCTTCT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 15).

[0123] The reaction mixture was heated to 94° C. for 1.5 min, then 30 cycles of PCR was carried out under the following conditions: 30 sec of denaturation at 94° C., 30 sec of annealing at 62° C. and 30 sec of extension at 72° C. A final extension at 72° C. was performed for 7 min before the reaction was terminated. These PCR products were electrophoresed through an agarose gel to separate them based on size. Based on this experiment, TADG-16 appears to be expressed in tumor tissue (FIGS. 5 & 6).

EXAMPLE 6

[0124] Expression of TADG-16 in Tumors

[0125] The expression of the serine protease TADG-16 gene in normal, low malignant potential tumors, and carcinoma (both mucinous and serous type) by quantitative PCR using TADG-16-specific primers was determined (primers directed toward the β-tubulin message were used as an internal standard). These data confirm the overexpression of the TADG-16 surface protease gene in ovarian carcinoma, including both low malignant potential tumors and overt carcinoma. Expression of TADG-16 is increased over normal levels in low malignant potential tumors, and high stage tumors (Stage III) of this group have higher expression of TADG-16 when compared to low stage tumors (Stage 1) (Table 3). In overt carcinoma, serous tumors exhibit the highest levels of TADG-16 expression, while mucinous tumors express levels of TADG-16 comparable with the high stage low malignant potential group. TABLE 3 Expression of TADG-16 Case No. Code Stage Grade Histology TADG-16 1 1 — — — 0.553 2 1 — — — 0.232 3 1 — — — 0.229 4 1 — — — 0.400 5 1 — — — 0.226 6 1 — — — 0.230 7 1 — — — 0.269 8 2 — — — 0.121 9 2 — — — 0.514 10 2 — — — 0.333 11 2 — — — 0.323 12 3 0.732 13 3 0.487 14 3 0.850 15 4 1 1 2 0.815 16 4 1 1 3 0.287 17 4 1 2 2 0.382 18 4 1 1 1 0.400 19 4 1 1 2 0.548 20 4 1 2 4 2.120 21 4 1 2 4 1.700 22 4 1 1 1 1.760 23 4 1 2 1 1.240 24 4 2 3 1 1.320 25 4 2 1 1 0.710 26 4 3 1 2 0.828 27 4 3 1 1 1.730 28 4 3 1 1 0.510 29 4 3 1 1 2.320 30 4 3 1 2 0.792 31 4 3 1 3 0.899 32 4 3 2 1 1.880 33 4 3 2 1 1.130 34 4 3 2 3 0.892 35 4 3 2 3 1.990 36 4 3 2 3 0.365 37 4 3 3 1 1.840 38 4 3 3 1 1.430 39 4 3 3 3 0.830 40 4 3 1 1 1.730 41 4 3 1 1 2.910

[0126] Code: 1, normal ovary; 2, benign tumor (adenoma); 3, LMP tumor; 4, cancer (adenocarcinoma).

[0127] Stage=Clinical stage: 1, stage 1; 2, stage 2; 3, stage 3.

[0128] Grade=Histological grade: 1, grade 1; 2, grade 2; 3, grade 3.

[0129] Histology: 1, serous carcinoma; 2, mucinous carcinoma; 3, endometrioid carcinoma; 4, clear cell carcinoma. TABLE 4 mRNA Expression Levels of TADG-16 Gene in Ovarian Cancers mRNA Expression Levels N mean SD Normal ovary 7 0.306 0.126 Benign tumor 4 0.323 0.161 LMP tumor 3 0.690 0.185 Ovarian cancer 27 1.235 0.692 Clinical stage Stage 1 9 1.028 0.695 Stage 2 2 1.015 0.431 Stage 3 16 1.380 0.711 Histological grade Grade 1 14 1.160 0.794 Grade 2 9 1.300 0.667 Grade 3 4 1.355 0.415 Histological type Serous 14 1.494 0.688 Mucinous 5 0.673 0.199 Endometrioid 6 0.877 0.609 Clear Cell 2 1.910 0.297

[0130] TABLE 5 p-value (unpaired t-test) Tumor type normal vs. benign 0.8473 normal vs. LMP 0.0046 normal vs. cancer 0.0014 benign vs. LMP 0.0375 benign vs. cancer 0.0148 LMP vs. cancer 0.1905 Stage stage 1 vs. stage 2 0.9808 stage 1 vs. stage 3 0.2435 stage 2 vs. stage 3 0.4951 Grade grade 1 vs. grade 2 0.6659 grade 1 vs. grade 3 0.6472 grade 2 vs. grade 3 0.8830 Histology serous vs. mucinous 0.0192 serous vs. endometrioid 0.0743 serous vs. clear cell 0.4230 mucinous vs. endometrioid 0.4937 mucinous vs. clear cell 0.0012 endometrioid vs. clear cell 0.0678

EXAMPLE 7

[0131] Antisense TADG-16

[0132] TADG-16 is cloned and expressed in the opposite orientation such that an antisense RNA molecule (SEQ ID No. 16) is produced. For example, the antisense RNA is used to hybridize to the complementary RNA in the cell and thereby inhibit translation of TADG-16 RNA into protein.

EXAMPLE 8

[0133] Peptide Ranking

[0134] For vaccine or immune stimulation, individual 9-mers to 11-mers of the TADG-16 protein were examined to rank the binding of individual peptides to the top 8 haplotypes in the general population (Parker et al., (1994)). The computer program used for this analyses can be found at <http://www-bimas.dcrt.nih.gov/molbio/hla_bind/>. Table 6 shows the peptide ranking based upon the predicted half-life of each peptide's binding to a particular HLA allele. A larger half-life indicates a stronger association with that peptide and the particular HLA molecule. The TADG-16 peptides that strongly bind to an HLA allele are putative immunogens, and are used to innoculate an individual against hepsin. TABLE 6 TADG-16 peptide ranking HLA Type Predicted SEQ & Ranking Start Peptide Dissociation_(1/2) ID No. HLA A0201 1 70 SLLSHRWAL 592.807 17 2 299 LLFFPLLWA 395.296 18 3 142 KLSAPVTYT 329.937 19 4 96 WMVQFGQLT 94.077 20 5 10 ALLLARAGL 79.041 21 6 252 QIGVVSWGV 71.726 22 7 248 GLWYQIGVV 70.769 23 8 139 ALVKLSAPV 69.552 24 9 291 SQPDPSWPL 66.602 25 10 130 YLGNSPYDI 47.991 26 11 190 TLQBVQVAI 42.774 27 12 6 ALLLALLLA 42.278 28 13 165 FENRTDCWV 34.216 29 14 71 LLSHRWALT 21.536 30 15 8 LLALLLARA 19.425 31 16 297 WPLLFFPLL 17.136 32 17 113 QAYYTRYFV 17.002 33 18 123 NIYLSPRYL 10.339 34 19 104 TSMFSFWSL 7.352 35 20 273 NISHHFEWI 7.345 36 HLA A0205 1 70 SLLSHRWAL 25.200 37 2 42 IVGGEDAEL 23.800 38 3 10 ALLLARAGL 21.000 39 4 291 SQPDPSWPL 20.160 40 5 297 WPLLFFPLL 12.600 41 6 248 GLWYQIGVV 12.000 42 7 82 HCFETYSDL 6.300 43 8 142 KLSAPVTYT 6.000 44 9 96 WMVQFGQLT 6.000 45 10 299 LLFFPLLWA 5.100 46 11 303 PLLWALPLL 4.200 47 12 123 NIYLSPRYL 4.200 48 13 98 VQFGQLTSM 4.080 49 14 306 WALPLLGPV 3.600 50 15 71 LLSHRWALT 3.400 51 16 53 WPWQGSLRL 3.150 52 17 302 FPLLWALPL 3.150 53 18 130 YLGNSPYDI 3.000 54 19 6 ALLLALLLA 3.000 55 20 190 TLQEVQVAI 3.000 56 HLA A1 1 44 GGEDAELGR 11.250 57 2 90 LSDPSGWMV 7.500 58 3 143 LSAPVTYTK 6.000 59 4 292 QPDPSWPLL 2.500 60 5 203 MCNHLFLKY 2.500 61 6 87 YSDLSDPSG 1.500 62 7 168 RTDCWVTGW 1.250 63 8 47 DAELGRWPW 0.900 64 9 23 SQEAAPLSG 0.675 65 10 7 LLLALLLAR 0.500 66 11 157 CLQASTFEF 0.500 67 12 202 SMCNHLFLK 0.500 68 13 111 SLQAYYTRY 0.500 69 14 125 YLSPRYLGN 0.500 70 15 152 HIQPICLQA 0.500 71 16 79 TAAHCFETY 0.500 72 17 238 SGGPLACNK 0.500 73 18 172 WVTGWGYIK 0.400 74 19 110 WSLQAYYTR 0.300 75 20 191 LQEVQVAII 0.270 76 HLA A24 1 118 RYFVSNIYL 400.000 77 2 177 GYIKEDEAL 300.000 78 3 210 KYSFRKDIF 140.000 79 4 270 VYTNISHHF 60.000 80 5 148 TYTKHIQPI 28.800 81 6 300 LFFPLLWAL 24.000 82 7 234 CFGDSGGPL 22.000 83 8 135 PYDIALVKL 9.600 84 9 4 RGALLLALL 8.640 85 10 104 TSMPSFWSL 8.640 86 11 296 SWPLLFFPL 7.500 87 12 250 WYQIGVVSW 7.200 88 13 5 GALLLALLL 7.200 89 14 95 GWMVQFGQL 7.200 90 15 199 INNSMCNHL 7.200 91 16 297 WPLLFFPLL 7.200 92 17 291 WQPDPSWPL 7.200 93 18 183 EALPSPHTL 7.200 94 19 86 TYSDLSDPS 7.200 95 20 10 ALLLARAGL 6.000 96 HLA B7 1 297 WPLLFFPLL 80.000 97 2 302 FPLLWALPL 80.000 98 3 53 WPWQGSLRL 80.000 99 4 292 QPDPSWPLL 24.000 100 5 145 APVTYTKHI 24.000 101 6 42 IVGGEDAEL 20.000 102 7 10 ALLLARAGL 18.000 103 8 104 TSMPSFWSL 12.000 104 9 183 EALPSPHTL 12.000 105 10 201 NSMCNHLFL 12.000 106 11 5 GALLLALLL 12.000 107 12 291 SQPDPSWPL 6.000 108 13 70 SLLSHRWAL 6.000 109 14 195 QVAIINNSM 5.000 110 15 116 YTRYFVSNI 4.000 111 16 199 INNSMCNHL 4.000 112 17 82 HCFETYSDL 4.000 113 18 132 GNSPYDIAL 4.000 114 19 1 MGARGALLL 4.000 115 20 63 DSHVCGVSL 4.000 116 HLA B8 1 183 EALPSPHTL 1.600 117 2 58 SLRLWDSHV 1.200 118 3 82 HCFETYSDL 1.200 119 4 116 YTRYFVSNI 1.000 120 5 2 GARGALLLA 0.800 121 6 302 FPLLWALPL 0.800 122 7 53 WPWQGSLRL 0.800 123 8 31 GPCGRRVIT 0.800 124 9 297 WPLLFFPLL 0.800 125 10 5 GALLLALLL 0.800 126 11 71 LLSHRWALT 0.400 127 12 242 LACNKNGLW 0.400 128 13 10 ALLLARAGL 0.400 129 14 70 SLLSHRWAL 0.400 130 15 63 DSHVCGVSL 0.400 131 16 89 DLSDPSGWM 0.300 132 17 132 GNSPYDIAL 0.200 133 18 140 LVKLSAPVT 0.200 134 19 149 YTKHIQPIC 0.200 135 20 15 RAGLRKPES 0.200 136 HLA B2702 1 117 GRWPWQVSL 1000.000 137 2 51 LRSDQEPLY 300.00 138 3 263 RRKLPVDRI 200.000 139 4 74 SRWRVFAGA 100.000 140 5 128 GRDTSLGRW 100.000 141 6 266 WRLCGIVSW 60.000 142 7 3 LRYDGAHLC 60.000 143 8 34 LRALTHSEL 60.000 144 9 213 FREWIFQAI 20.000 145 10 18 GRLPHTQRL 20.000 146 11 101 ERNRVLSRW 20.000 147 12 227 NRVLSRWRV 20.000 148 13 59 SRPKVAALT 20.000 149 14 40 VRTAGANGT 20.000 150 15 35 QRLLEVISV 18.000 151 16 98 CQGDSGGPF 10.000 152 17 112 ARLMVFDKT 6.000 153 18 291 WRVFAGAVA 6.000 154 19 191 GRFLAAICQ 6.000 155 20 157 CLQASTFEF 3.000 156 HLA B4403 1 122 SNIYLSPRY 30.000 157 2 182 DEALPSPHT 24.000 158 3 45 GEDAELGRW 18.000 159 4 136 YDIALVKLS 11.250 160 5 170 DCWVTGWGY 9.000 161 6 243 ACNKNGLWY 6.000 162 7 163 FEFENRTDC 6.000 163 8 88 SDLSDPSGW 6.000 164 9 79 TAAHCFETY 6.000 165 10 278 FEWIQKLMA 6.000 166 11 192 QEVQVAIIN 5.400 167 12 92 DPSGWMVQF 4.500 168 13 294 DPSWPLLFF 4.500 169 14 203 MCNHLFLKY 4.500 170 15 76 WALTAAHCF 4.500 171 16 165 FENRTDCWV 4.000 172 17 215 KDIFGDMVC 2.500 173 18 48 AELGRWPWQ 2.400 174 19 272 TNISHHFEW 2.250 175 20 227 AQGGKDACF 2.250 176

[0135] Implications

[0136] That TADG-16 is found at low levels in some normal tissues may not detract from it's potential usefulness as a tumor marker, as there may be an aberrant expression pattern at the translational level that, e.g., allows for detection of TADG-16 in tumor patients but not in healthy patients, and/or activation of the TADG-16 enzyme may be necessary for tumor progression. In the case of the serine protease hepsin, Torres-Rosada et al. demonstrated by down-regulating hepsin that hepsin was required for growth of certain mammalian cells in culture.

[0137] The TADG-16 protein sequence is 314 amino acids in length and contains a secretion signal sequence, which suggests that this protein is functional in an extracellular capacity. A proteolytic cleavage site usually associated with protease enzyme activation is present downstream from the secretion signal sequence between amino acid residues 19 and 20. Moreover, the identified clone contains the necessary amino acids characteristic of a functional serine protease catalytic triad, thereby suggesting that this protein may be functioning in a manner that would promote cellular growth or expansion.

[0138] Any patents or publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0139] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The present examples along with the methods, procedures, treatments, molecules, and specific compounds described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims.

1 179 1 1131 DNA Homo sapiens TADG-16 cDNA sequence 1 ggggcgcccc gggcccggcg cgagaggagg cagagggggc gtcaggccgc 50 gggagaggag gccatgggcg cgcgcggggc gctgctgctg gcgctgctgc 100 tggctcgggc tggactcagg aagccggagt cgcaggaggc ggcgccgtta 150 tcaggaccat gcggccgacg ggtcatcacg tcgcgcatcg tgggtggaga 200 ggacgccgaa ctcgggcgtt ggccgtggca ggggagcctg cgcctgtggg 250 attcccacgt atgcggagtg agcctgctca gccaccgctg ggcactcacg 300 gcggcgcact gctttgaaac gtatagtgac cttagtgatc cctccgggtg 350 gatggtccag tttggccagc tgacttccat gccatccttc tggagcctgc 400 aggcctacta cacccgttac ttcgtatcga atatctatct gagccctcgc 450 tacctgggga attcacccta tgacattgcc ttggtgaagc tgtctgcacc 500 tgtcacctac actaaacaca tccagcccat ctgtctccag gcctccacat 550 ttgagtttga gaaccggaca gactgctggg tgactggctg ggggtacatc 600 aaagaggatg aggcactgcc atctccccac accctccagg aagttcaggt 650 cgccatcata aacaactcta tgtgcaacca cctcttcctc aagtacagtt 700 tccgcaagga catctttgga gacatggttt gtgctggcaa tgcccaaggc 750 gggaaggatg cctgcttcgg tgactcaggt ggacccttgg cctgtaacaa 800 gaatggactg tggtatcaga ttggagtcgt gagctgggga gtgggctgtg 850 gtcggcccaa tcggcccggt gtctacacca atatcagcca ccactttgag 900 tggatccaga agctgatggc ccagagtggc atgtcccagc cagacccctc 950 ctggccgcta ctctttttcc ctcttctctg ggctctccca ctcctggggc 1000 cggtctgagc ctacctgagc ccatgcagcc tggggccaac tgccaagtca 1050 ggccctggtt ctcttctgtc ttgtttggta ataaacacat tccagttgat 1100 gccttgcagg gcattcttca aaaaaaaaaa a 1131 2 314 PRT Homo sapiens TADG-16 protein sequence 2 Met Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg 5 10 15 Ala Gly Leu Arg Lys Pro Glu Ser Gln Glu Ala Ala Pro Leu Ser 20 25 30 Gly Pro Cys Gly Arg Arg Val Ile Thr Ser Arg Ile Val Gly Gly 35 40 45 Glu Asp Ala Glu Leu Gly Arg Trp Pro Trp Gln Gly Ser Leu Arg 50 55 60 Leu Trp Asp Ser His Val Cys Gly Val Ser Leu Leu Ser His Arg 65 70 75 Trp Ala Leu Thr Ala Ala His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu 80 85 90 Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp Met Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser 95 100 105 Met Pro Ser Phe Trp Ser Leu Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe 110 115 120 Val Ser Asn Ile Tyr Leu Ser Pro Arg Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ser Pro 125 130 135 Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu Val Lys Leu Ser Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr 140 145 150 Lys His Ile Gln Pro Ile Cys Leu Gln Ala Ser Thr Phe Glu Phe 155 160 165 Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp Cys Trp Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Tyr Ile Lys 170 175 180 Glu Asp Glu Ala Leu Pro Ser Pro His Thr Leu Gln Glu Val Gln 185 190 195 Val Ala Ile Ile Asn Asn Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu Lys 200 205 210 Tyr Ser Phe Arg Lys Asp Ile Phe Gly Asp Met Val Cys Ala Gly 215 220 225 Asn Ala Gln Gly Gly Lys Asp Ala Cys Phe Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly 230 235 240 Pro Leu Ala Cys Asn Lys Asn Gly Leu Trp Tyr Gln Ile Gly Val 245 250 255 Val Ser Trp Gly Val Gly Cys Gly Arg Pro Asn Arg Pro Gly Val 260 265 270 Tyr Thr Asn Ile Ser His His Phe Glu Trp Ile Gln Lys Leu Met 275 280 285 Ala Gln Ser Gly Met Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu Leu 290 295 300 Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu Leu Gly Pro Val 305 310 3 244 PRT Unknown PEPTIDE Sequence of Protease M 3 Met Lys Lys Leu Met Val Val Leu Ser Leu Ile Ala Ala Ala Trp 5 10 15 Ala Glu Glu Gln Asn Lys Leu Val His Gly Gly Pro Cys Asp Lys 20 25 30 Thr Ser His Pro Tyr Gln Ala Ala Leu Tyr Thr Ser Gly His Leu 35 40 45 Leu Cys Gly Gly Val Leu Ile His Pro Leu Trp Val Leu Thr Ala 50 55 60 Ala His Cys Lys Lys Pro Asn Leu Gln Val Phe Leu Gly Lys His 65 70 75 Asn Leu Arg Gln Arg Glu Ser Ser Gln Glu Gln Ser Ser Val Val 80 85 90 Arg Ala Val Ile His Pro Asp Tyr Asp Ala Ala Ser His Asp Gln 95 100 105 Asp Ile Met Leu Leu Arg Leu Ala Arg Pro Ala Lys Leu Ser Glu 110 115 120 Leu Ile Gln Pro Leu Pro Leu Glu Arg Asp Cys Ser Ala Asn Thr 125 130 135 Thr Ser Cys His Ile Leu Gly Trp Gly Lys Thr Ala Asp Gly Asp 140 145 150 Phe Pro Asp Thr Ile Gln Cys Ala Tyr Ile His Leu Val Ser Arg 155 160 165 Glu Glu Cys Glu His Ala Tyr Pro Gly Gln Ile Thr Gln Asn Met 170 175 180 Leu Cys Ala Gly Asp Glu Lys Tyr Gly Lys Asp Ser Cys Gln Gly 185 190 195 Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Val Cys Gly Asp His Leu Arg Gly Leu 200 205 210 Val Ser Trp Gly Asn Ile Pro Cys Gly Ser Lys Glu Lys Pro Gly 215 220 225 Val Tyr Thr Asn Val Cys Arg Tyr Thr Asn Trp Ile Gln Lys Thr 230 235 240 Ile Gln Ala Lys 244 4 247 PRT Unknown PEPTIDE Sequence of Trypsinogen 4 Met Asn Pro Leu Leu Ile Leu Thr Phe Val Ala Ala Ala Leu Ala 5 10 15 Ala Pro Phe Asp Asp Asp Asp Lys Ile Val Gly Gly Tyr Asn Cys 20 25 30 Glu Glu Asn Ser Val Pro Tyr Gln Val Ser Leu Asn Ser Gly Tyr 35 40 45 His Phe Cys Gly Gly Ser Leu Ile Asn Glu Gln Trp Val Val Ser 50 55 60 Ala Gly His Cys Tyr Lys Ser Arg Ile Gln Val Arg Leu Gly Glu 65 70 75 His Asn Ile Glu Val Leu Glu Gly Asn Glu Gln Phe Ile Asn Ala 80 85 90 Ala Lys Ile Ile Arg His Pro Gln Tyr Asp Arg Lys Thr Leu Asn 95 100 105 Asn Asp Ile Met Leu Ile Lys Leu Ser Ser Arg Ala Val Ile Asn 110 115 120 Ala Arg Val Ser Thr Ile Ser Leu Pro Thr Ala Pro Pro Ala Thr 125 130 135 Gly Thr Lys Cys Leu Ile Ser Gly Trp Gly Asn Thr Ala Ser Ser 140 145 150 Gly Ala Asp Tyr Pro Asp Glu Leu Gln Cys Leu Asp Ala Pro Val 155 160 165 Leu Ser Gln Ala Lys Cys Glu Ala Ser Tyr Pro Gly Lys Ile Thr 170 175 180 Ser Asn Met Phe Cys Val Gly Phe Leu Glu Gly Gly Lys Asp Ser 185 190 195 Cys Gln Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Val Val Cys Asn Gly Gln Leu 200 205 210 Gln Gly Val Val Ser Trp Gly Asp Gly Cys Ala Gln Lys Asn Lys 215 220 225 Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Lys Val Tyr Asn Tyr Val Lys Trp Ile Lys 230 235 240 Asn Thr Ile Ala Ala Asn Ser 245 5 253 PRT Unknown PEPTIDE Sequence of SCCE 5 Met Ala Arg Ser Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Gln Ile Leu Leu Leu Ser 5 10 15 Leu Ala Leu Glu Thr Ala Gly Glu Glu Ala Gln Gly Asp Lys Ile 20 25 30 Ile Asp Gly Ala Pro Cys Ala Arg Gly Ser His Pro Trp Gln Val 35 40 45 Ala Leu Leu Ser Gly Asn Gln Leu His Cys Gly Gly Val Leu Val 50 55 60 Asn Glu Arg Trp Val Leu Thr Ala Ala His Cys Lys Met Asn Glu 65 70 75 Tyr Thr Val His Leu Gly Ser Asp Thr Leu Gly Asp Arg Arg Ala 80 85 90 Gln Arg Ile Lys Ala Ser Lys Ser Phe Arg His Pro Gly Tyr Ser 95 100 105 Thr Gln Thr His Val Asn Asp Leu Met Leu Val Lys Leu Asn Ser 110 115 120 Gln Ala Arg Leu Ser Ser Met Val Lys Lys Val Arg Leu Pro Ser 125 130 135 Arg Cys Glu Pro Pro Gly Thr Thr Cys Thr Val Ser Gly Trp Gly 140 145 150 Thr Thr Thr Ser Pro Asp Val Thr Phe Pro Ser Asp Leu Met Cys 155 160 165 Val Asp Val Lys Leu Ile Ser Pro Gln Asp Cys Thr Lys Val Tyr 170 175 180 Lys Asp Leu Leu Glu Asn Ser Met Leu Cys Ala Gly Ile Pro Asp 185 190 195 Ser Lys Lys Asn Ala Cys Asn Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Val 200 205 210 Cys Arg Gly Thr Leu Gln Gly Leu Val Ser Trp Gly Thr Phe Pro 215 220 225 Cys Gly Gln Pro Asn Asp Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Gln Val Cys Lys 230 235 240 Phe Thr Lys Trp Ile Asn Asp Thr Met Lys Lys His Arg 245 250 6 421 PRT Unknown PEPTIDE 1, 2, 3, 4 Sequence of Hepsin, Xaa = Unknown at 1, 2, 3, 4 6 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Met Ala Gln Lys Glu Gly Gly Arg Thr Val Pro 5 10 15 Cys Cys Ser Arg Pro Lys Val Ala Ala Leu Thr Ala Gly Thr Leu 20 25 30 Leu Leu Leu Thr Ala Ile Gly Ala Ala Ser Trp Ala Ile Val Ala 35 40 45 Val Leu Leu Arg Ser Asp Gln Glu Pro Leu Tyr Pro Val Gln Val 50 55 60 Ser Ser Ala Asp Ala Arg Leu Met Val Phe Asp Lys Thr Glu Gly 65 70 75 Thr Trp Arg Leu Leu Cys Ser Ser Arg Ser Asn Ala Arg Val Ala 80 85 90 Gly Leu Ser Cys Glu Glu Met Gly Phe Leu Arg Ala Leu Thr His 95 100 105 Ser Glu Leu Asp Val Arg Thr Ala Gly Ala Asn Gly Thr Ser Gly 110 115 120 Phe Phe Cys Val Asp Glu Gly Arg Leu Pro His Thr Gln Arg Leu 125 130 135 Leu Glu Val Ile Ser Val Cys Asp Cys Pro Arg Gly Arg Phe Leu 140 145 150 Ala Ala Ile Cys Gln Asp Cys Gly Arg Arg Lys Leu Pro Val Asp 155 160 165 Arg Ile Val Gly Gly Arg Asp Thr Ser Leu Gly Arg Trp Pro Trp 170 175 180 Gln Val Ser Leu Arg Tyr Asp Gly Ala His Leu Cys Gly Gly Ser 185 190 195 Leu Leu Ser Gly Asp Trp Val Leu Thr Ala Ala His Cys Phe Pro 200 205 210 Glu Arg Asn Arg Val Leu Ser Arg Trp Arg Val Phe Ala Gly Ala 215 220 225 Val Ala Gln Ala Ser Pro His Gly Leu Gln Leu Gly Val Gln Ala 230 235 240 Val Val Tyr His Gly Gly Tyr Leu Pro Phe Arg Asp Pro Asn Ser 245 250 255 Glu Glu Asn Ser Asn Asp Ile Ala Leu Val His Leu Ser Ser Pro 260 265 270 Leu Pro Leu Thr Glu Tyr Ile Gln Pro Val Cys Leu Pro Ala Ala 275 280 285 Gly Gln Ala Leu Val Asp Gly Lys Ile Cys Thr Val Thr Gly Trp 290 295 300 Gly Asn Thr Gln Tyr Tyr Gly Gln Gln Ala Gly Val Leu Gln Glu 305 310 315 Ala Arg Val Pro Ile Ile Ser Asn Asp Val Cys Asn Gly Ala Asp 320 325 330 Phe Tyr Gly Asn Gln Ile Lys Pro Lys Met Phe Cys Ala Gly Tyr 335 340 345 Pro Glu Gly Gly Ile Asp Ala Cys Gln Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro 350 355 360 Phe Val Cys Glu Asp Ser Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Arg Trp Arg Leu 365 370 375 Cys Gly Ile Val Ser Trp Gly Thr Gly Cys Ala Leu Ala Gln Lys 380 385 390 Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Lys Val Ser Asp Phe Arg Glu Trp Ile Phe 395 400 405 Gln Ala Ile Lys Thr His Ser Glu Ala Ser Gly Met Val Thr Gln 410 415 420 Leu 421 7 294 PRT Homo sapiens PEPTIDE TADG-16 protein sequence 7 Met Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg 5 10 15 Ala Gly Leu Arg Lys Pro Thr Ile Arg Gly Pro Cys Gly Arg Arg 20 25 30 Val Ile Thr Ser Arg Ile Val Gly Gly Glu Asp Ala Glu Leu Gly 35 40 45 Arg Trp Pro Trp Gln Gly Ser Leu Arg Leu Trp Asp Ser His Val 50 55 60 Cys Gly Val Ser Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu Thr Ala Ala 65 70 75 His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp 80 85 90 Met Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Phe Trp Ser 95 100 105 Leu Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe Val Ser Asn Ile Tyr Leu 110 115 120 Ser Pro Arg Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ser Pro Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu Val 125 130 135 Lys Leu Ser Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr Lys His Ile Gln Pro Ile 140 145 150 Cys Leu Gln Ala Ser Thr Phe Glu Phe Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp Cys 155 160 165 Trp Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Tyr Ile Lys Glu Asp Glu Ala Leu Pro 170 175 180 Ser Pro His Thr Leu Gln Glu Val Gln Val Ala Ile Ile Asn Asn 185 190 195 Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu Lys Tyr Ser Phe Arg Lys Asp 200 205 210 Ile Phe Gly Asp Met Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Ala Cys Asn 215 220 225 Lys Asn Gly Leu Trp Tyr Gln Ile Gly Val Val Ser Trp Gly Val 230 235 240 Gly Cys Gly Arg Pro Asn Arg Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Asn Ile Ser 245 250 255 His His Phe Glu Trp Ile Gln Lys Leu Met Ala Gln Ser Gly Met 260 265 270 Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu 275 280 285 Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu Leu Gly Pro Val 290 8 23 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 Degenerate oligonucleotide sense primer to amplify serine proteases, n = inosine at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 8 tgggtngtna cngcngcnca ytg 23 9 20 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 Degenerate oligonucleotide antisense primer to amplify serine proteases, n = inosine at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 9 arnggnccnc cnswrtcncc 20 10 20 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind Oligonucleotide sense primer specific for TADG-16 10 gtcaggccgc gggagaggag 20 11 20 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind Oligonucleotide antisense primer specific for TADG-16 11 actctgggcc atcagcttct 20 12 28 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind Oligonucleotide antisense primer specific for TADG-16 12 cggagggatc actaaggtca ctatacgt 28 13 28 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind Oligonucleotide antisense primer specific for TADG-16 13 tatacgtttc aaagcagtgc gccgccgt 28 14 20 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind Oligonucleotide sense primer specific for TADG-16 14 ggtcgccatc ataaacaact 20 15 20 DNA Artificial sequence primer_bind Oligonucleotide antisense primer specific for TADG-16 15 actctgggcc atcagcttct 20 16 1131 RNA Artificial sequence Antisense transcript of TADG-16 16 uuuuuuuuuu uugaagaaug cccugcaagg caucaacugg aauguguuua 50 uuaccaaaca agacagaaga gaaccagggc cugacuuggc aguuggcccc 100 aggcugcaug ggcucaggua ggcucagacc ggccccagga gugggagagc 150 ccagagaaga gggaaaaaga guagcggcca ggaggggucu ggcugggaca 200 ugccacucug ggccaucagc uucuggaucc acucaaagug guggcugaua 250 uugguguaga caccgggccg auugggccga ccacagccca cuccccagcu 300 cacgacucca aucugauacc acaguccauu cuuguuacag gccaaggguc 350 caccugaguc accgaagcag gcauccuucc cgccuugggc auugccagca 400 caaaccaugu cuccaaagau guccuugcgg aaacuguacu ugaggaagag 450 gugguugcac auagaguugu uuaugauggc gaccugaacu uccuggaggg 500 uguggggaga uggcagugcc ucauccucuu ugauguaccc ccagccaguc 550 acccagcagu cuguccgguu cucaaacuca aauguggagg ccuggagaca 600 gaugggcugg auguguuuag uguaggugac aggugcagac agcuucacca 650 aggcaauguc auagggugaa uuccccaggu agcgagggcu cagauagaua 700 uucgauacga aguaacgggu guaguaggcc ugcaggcucc agaaggaugg 750 cauggaaguc agcuggccaa acuggaccau ccacccggag ggaucacuaa 800 ggucacuaua cguuucaaag cagugcgccg ccgugagugc ccagcggugg 850 cugagcaggc ucacuccgca uacgugggaa ucccacaggc gcaggcuccc 900 cugccacggc caacgcccga guucggcguc cucuccaccc acgaugcgcg 950 acgugaugac ccgucggccg caugguccug auaacggcgc cgccuccugc 1000 gacuccggcu uccugagucc agcccgagcc agcagcagcg ccagcagcag 1050 cgccccgcgc gcgcccaugg ccuccucucc cgcggccuga cgcccccucu 1100 gccuccucuc gcgccgggcc cggggcgccc c 1131 17 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 70-78 of the TADG-16 protein 17 Ser Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu 5 18 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 299-307 of the TADG-16 protein 18 Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala 5 19 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 142-150 of the TADG-16 protein 19 Lys Leu Ser Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr 5 20 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 96-104 of the TADG-16 protein 20 Trp Met Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr 5 21 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 10-18 of the TADG-16 protein 21 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Leu 5 22 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 252-260 of the TADG-16 protein 22 Gln Ile Gly Val Val Ser Trp Gly Val 5 23 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 248-256 of the TADG-16 protein 23 Gly Leu Trp Tyr Gln Ile Gly Val Val 5 24 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 139-147 of the TADG-16 protein 24 Ala Leu Val Lys Leu Ser Ala Pro Val 5 25 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 291-299 of the TADG-16 protein 25 Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu 5 26 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 130-138 of the TADG-16 protein 26 Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ser Pro Tyr Asp Ile 5 27 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 190-198 of the TADG-16 protein 27 Thr Leu Gln Glu Val Gln Val Ala Ile 5 28 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 6-14 of the TADG-16 protein 28 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala 5 29 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 165-173 of the TADG-16 protein 29 Phe Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp Cys Trp Val 5 30 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 71-79 of the TADG-16 protein 30 Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu Thr 5 31 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 8-16 of the TADG-16 protein 31 Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg Ala 5 32 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 297-305 of the TADG-16 protein 32 Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu 5 33 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 113-121 of the TADG-16 protein 33 Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe Val 5 34 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 123-131 of the TADG-16 protein 34 Asn Ile Tyr Leu Ser Pro Arg Tyr Leu 5 35 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 104-112 of the TADG-16 protein 35 Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Phe Trp Ser Leu 5 36 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 273-281 of the TADG-16 protein 36 Asn Ile Ser His His Phe Glu Trp Ile 5 37 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 70-78 of the TADG-16 protein 37 Ser Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu 5 38 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 42-50 of the TADG-16 protein 38 Ile Val Gly Gly Glu Asp Ala Glu Leu 5 39 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 10-18 of the TADG-16 protein 39 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Leu 5 40 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 291-299 of the TADG-16 protein 40 Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu 5 41 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 297-305 of the TADG-16 protein 41 Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu 5 42 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 248-256 of the TADG-16 protein 42 Gly Leu Trp Tyr Gln Ile Gly Val Val 5 43 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 82-90 of the TADG-16 protein 43 His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu 5 44 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 142-150 of the TADG-16 protein 44 Lys Leu Ser Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr 5 45 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 96-104 of the TADG-16 protein 45 Trp Met Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr 5 46 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 299-307 of the TADG-16 protein 46 Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala 5 47 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 303-311 of the TADG-16 protein 47 Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu Leu 5 48 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 123-131 of the TADG-16 protein 48 Asn Ile Tyr Leu Ser Pro Arg Tyr Leu 5 49 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 98-106 of the TADG-16 protein 49 Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser Met 5 50 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 306-314 of the TADG-16 protein 50 Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu Leu Gly Pro Val 5 51 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 71-79 of the TADG-16 protein 51 Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu Thr 5 52 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 53-61 of the TADG-16 protein 52 Trp Pro Trp Gln Gly Ser Leu Arg Leu 5 53 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 302-310 of the TADG-16 protein 53 Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu 5 54 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 130-138 of the TADG-16 protein 54 Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ser Pro Tyr Asp Ile 5 55 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 6-14 of the TADG-16 protein 55 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala 5 56 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 190-198 of the TADG-16 protein 56 Thr Leu Gln Glu Val Gln Val Ala Ile 5 57 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 44-52 of the TADG-16 protein 57 Gly Gly Glu Asp Ala Glu Leu Gly Arg 5 58 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 90-98 of the TADG-16 protein 58 Leu Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp Met Val 5 59 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 143-151 of the TADG-16 protein 59 Leu Ser Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr Lys 5 60 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 292-300 of the TADG-16 protein 60 Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu Leu 5 61 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 203-211 of the TADG-16 protein 61 Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu Lys Tyr 5 62 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 87-95 of the TADG-16 protein 62 Tyr Ser Asp Leu Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly 5 63 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 168-176 of the TADG-16 protein 63 Arg Thr Asp Cys Trp Val Thr Gly Trp 5 64 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 47-55 of the TADG-16 protein 64 Asp Ala Glu Leu Gly Arg Trp Pro Trp 5 65 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 23-31 of the TADG-16 protein 65 Ser Gln Glu Ala Ala Pro Leu Ser Gly 5 66 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 7-15 of the TADG-16 protein 66 Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg 5 67 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 157-165 of the TADG-16 protein 67 Cys Leu Gln Ala Ser Thr Phe Glu Phe 5 68 9 PRT Homo sapiens CHAIN Residues 202-210 of the TADG-16 protein 68 Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu Lys 5 69 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 111-119 of the TADG-16 protein 69 Ser Leu Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg Tyr 5 70 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 125-133 of the TADG-16 protein 70 Tyr Leu Ser Pro Arg Tyr Leu Gly Asn 5 71 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 152-160 of the TADG-16 protein 71 His Ile Gln Pro Ile Cys Leu Gln Ala 5 72 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 79-87 of the TADG-16 protein 72 Thr Ala Ala His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr 5 73 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 238-246 of the TADG-16 protein 73 Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Ala Cys Asn Lys 5 74 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 172-180 of the TADG-16 protein 74 Trp Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Tyr Ile Lys 5 75 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 110-118 of the TADG-16 protein 75 Trp Ser Leu Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg 5 76 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 191-199 of the TADG-16 protein 76 Leu Gln Glu Val Gln Val Ala Ile Ile 5 77 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 118-126 of the TADG-16 protein 77 Arg Tyr Phe Val Ser Asn Ile Tyr Leu 5 78 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 177-185 of the TADG-16 protein 78 Gly Tyr Ile Lys Glu Asp Glu Ala Leu 5 79 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 210-218 of the TADG-16 protein 79 Lys Tyr Ser Phe Arg Lys Asp Ile Phe 5 80 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 270-278 of the TADG-16 protein 80 Val Tyr Thr Asn Ile Ser His His Phe 5 81 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 148-156 of the TADG-16 protein 81 Thr Tyr Thr Lys His Ile Gln Pro Ile 5 82 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 300-308 of the TADG-16 protein 82 Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala Leu 5 83 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 234-242 of the TADG-16 protein 83 Cys Phe Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu 5 84 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 135-143 of the TADG-16 protein 84 Pro Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu Val Lys Leu 5 85 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 4-12 of the TADG-16 protein 85 Arg Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu 5 86 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 104-112 of the TADG-16 protein 86 Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Phe Trp Ser Leu 5 87 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 296-304 of the TADG-16 protein 87 Ser Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu 5 88 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 250-258 of the TADG-16 protein 88 Trp Tyr Gln Ile Gly Val Val Ser Trp 5 89 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 5-13 of the TADG-16 protein 89 Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu 5 90 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 95-103 of the TADG-16 protein 90 Gly Trp Met Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu 5 91 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 199-207 of the TADG-16 protein 91 Ile Asn Asn Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu 5 92 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 297-305 of the TADG-16 protein 92 Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu 5 93 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 291-299 of the TADG-16 protein 93 Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu 5 94 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 183-191 of the TADG-16 protein 94 Glu Ala Leu Pro Ser Pro His Thr Leu 5 95 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 86-94 of the TADG-16 protein 95 Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu Ser Asp Pro Ser 5 96 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 10-18 of the TADG-16 protein 96 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Leu 5 97 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 297-305 of the TADG-16 protein 97 Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu 5 98 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 302-310 of the TADG-16 protein 98 Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu 5 99 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 53-61 of the TADG-16 protein 99 Trp Pro Trp Gln Gly Ser Leu Arg Leu 5 100 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 292-300 of the TADG-16 protein 100 Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu Leu 5 101 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 145-153 of the TADG-16 protein 101 Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr Lys His Ile 5 102 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 42-50 of the TADG-16 protein 102 Ile Val Gly Gly Glu Asp Ala Glu Leu 5 103 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 10-18 of the TADG-16 protein 103 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Leu 5 104 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 104-112 of the TADG-16 protein 104 Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Phe Trp Ser Leu 5 105 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 183-191 of the TADG-16 protein 105 Glu Ala Leu Pro Ser Pro His Thr Leu 5 106 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 201-209 of the TADG-16 protein 106 Asn Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu 5 107 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 5-13 of the TADG-16 protein 107 Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu 5 108 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 291-299 of the TADG-16 protein 108 Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu 5 109 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 70-78 of the TADG-16 protein 109 Ser Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu 5 110 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 195-203 of the TADG-16 protein 110 Gln Val Ala Ile Ile Asn Asn Ser Met 5 111 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 116-124 of the TADG-16 protein 111 Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe Val Ser Asn Ile 5 112 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 199-207 of the TADG-16 protein 112 Ile Asn Asn Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu 5 113 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 82-90 of the TADG-16 protein 113 His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu 5 114 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 132-140 of the TADG-16 protein 114 Gly Asn Ser Pro Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu 5 115 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 1-9 of the TADG-16 protein 115 Met Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu 5 116 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 63-71 of the TADG-16 protein 116 Asp Ser His Val Cys Gly Val Ser Leu 5 117 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 183-191 of the TADG-16 protein 117 Glu Ala Leu Pro Ser Pro His Thr Leu 5 118 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 58-66 of the TADG-16 protein 118 Ser Leu Arg Leu Trp Asp Ser His Val 5 119 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 82-90 of the TADG-16 protein 119 His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu 5 120 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 116-124 of the TADG-16 protein 120 Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe Val Ser Asn Ile 5 121 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 2-10 of the TADG-16 protein 121 Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala 5 122 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 302-310 of the TADG-16 protein 122 Phe Pro Leu Leu Trp Ala Leu Pro Leu 5 123 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 53-61 of the TADG-16 protein 123 Trp Pro Trp Gln Gly Ser Leu Arg Leu 5 124 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 31-39 of the TADG-16 protein 124 Gly Pro Cys Gly Arg Arg Val Ile Thr 5 125 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 297-305 of the TADG-16 protein 125 Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe Pro Leu Leu 5 126 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 5-13 of the TADG-16 protein 126 Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu 5 127 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 71-79 of the TADG-16 protein 127 Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu Thr 5 128 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 242-250 of the TADG-16 protein 128 Leu Ala Cys Asn Lys Asn Gly Leu Trp 5 129 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 10-18 of the TADG-16 protein 129 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Arg Ala Gly Leu 5 130 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 70-78 of the TADG-16 protein 130 Ser Leu Leu Ser His Arg Trp Ala Leu 5 131 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 63-71 of the TADG-16 protein 131 Asp Ser His Val Cys Gly Val Ser Leu 5 132 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 89-97 of the TADG-16 protein 132 Asp Leu Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp Met 5 133 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 132-140 of the TADG-16 protein 133 Gly Asn Ser Pro Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu 5 134 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 140-148 of the TADG-16 protein 134 Leu Val Lys Leu Ser Ala Pro Val Thr 5 135 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 149-157 of the TADG-16 protein 135 Tyr Thr Lys His Ile Gln Pro Ile Cys 5 136 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 15-23 of the TADG-16 protein 136 Arg Ala Gly Leu Arg Lys Pro Glu Ser 5 137 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 117-125 of the TADG-16 protein 137 Thr Arg Tyr Phe Val Ser Asn Ile Tyr 5 138 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 51-59 of the TADG-16 protein 138 Gly Arg Trp Pro Trp Gln Gly Ser Leu 5 139 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 263-271 of the TADG-16 protein 139 Gly Arg Pro Asn Arg Pro Gly Val Tyr 5 140 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 74-82 of the TADG-16 protein 140 His Arg Trp Ala Leu Thr Ala Ala His 5 141 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 128-136 of the TADG-16 protein 141 Pro Arg Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ser Pro Tyr 5 142 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 266-274 of the TADG-16 protein 142 Asn Arg Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Asn Ile 5 143 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 3-11 of the TADG-16 protein 143 Ala Arg Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu 5 144 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 34-42 of the TADG-16 protein 144 Gly Arg Arg Val Ile Thr Ser Arg Ile 5 145 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 213-221 of the TADG-16 protein 145 Phe Arg Lys Asp Ile Phe Gly Asp Met 5 146 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 18-26 of the TADG-16 protein 146 Leu Arg Lys Pro Glu Ser Gln Glu Ala 5 147 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 101-109 of the TADG-16 protein 147 Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser Met Pro Ser Phe 5 148 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 227-235 of the TADG-16 protein 148 Ala Gln Gly Gly Lys Asp Ala Cys Phe 5 149 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 59-67 of the TADG-16 protein 149 Leu Arg Leu Trp Asp Ser His Val Cys 5 150 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 40-48 of the TADG-16 protein 150 Ser Arg Ile Val Gly Gly Glu Asp Ala 5 151 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 35-63 of the TADG-16 protein 151 Arg Arg Val Ile Thr Ser Arg Ile Val 5 152 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 98-106 of the TADG-16 protein 152 Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser Met 5 153 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 112-120 of the TADG-16 protein 153 Leu Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe 5 154 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 291-299 of the TADG-16 protein 154 Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu 5 155 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 191-199 of the TADG-16 protein 155 Leu Gln Glu Val Gln Val Ala Ile Ile 5 156 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 157-165 of the TADG-16 protein 156 Cys Leu Gln Ala Ser Thr Phe Glu Phe 5 157 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 122-130 of the TADG-16 protein 157 Ser Asn Ile Tyr Leu Ser Pro Arg Tyr 5 158 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 182-190 of the TADG-16 protein 158 Asp Glu Ala Leu Pro Ser Pro His Thr 5 159 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 45-53 of the TADG-16 protein 159 Gly Glu Asp Ala Glu Leu Gly Arg Trp 5 160 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 136-144 of the TADG-16 protein 160 Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu Val Lys Leu Ser 5 161 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 170-178 of the TADG-16 protein 161 Asp Cys Trp Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Tyr 5 162 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 243-251 of the TADG-16 protein 162 Ala Cys Asn Lys Asn Gly Leu Trp Tyr 5 163 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 163-171 of the TADG-16 protein 163 Phe Glu Phe Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp Cys 5 164 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 88-96 of the TADG-16 protein 164 Ser Asp Leu Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp 5 165 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 79-87 of the TADG-16 protein 165 Thr Ala Ala His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr 5 166 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 278-296 of the TADG-16 protein 166 Phe Glu Trp Ile Gln Lys Leu Met Ala 5 167 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 192-200 of the TADG-16 protein 167 Gln Glu Val Gln Val Ala Ile Ile Asn 5 168 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 92-100 of the TADG-16 protein 168 Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp Met Val Gln Phe 5 169 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 294-302 of the TADG-16 protein 169 Asp Pro Ser Trp Pro Leu Leu Phe Phe 5 170 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 203-211 of the TADG-16 protein 170 Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu Lys Tyr 5 171 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 76-84 of the TADG-16 protein 171 Trp Ala Leu Thr Ala Ala His Cys Phe 5 172 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 165-173 of the TADG-16 protein 172 Phe Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp Cys Trp Val 5 173 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 215-223 of the TADG-16 protein 173 Lys Asp Ile Phe Gly Asp Met Val Cys 5 174 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 48-56 of the TADG-16 protein 174 Ala Glu Leu Gly Arg Trp Pro Trp Gln 5 175 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 272-280 of the TADG-16 protein 175 Thr Asn Ile Ser His His Phe Glu Trp 5 176 9 PRT Homo sapiens Residues 227-235 of the TADG-16 protein 176 Ala Gln Gly Gly Lys Asp Ala Cys Phe 5 177 498 DNA Unknown WISH cDNA sequence of TADG-16 catalytic domain 177 tgggcactca cggcggcgca ctgctttgaa acgtatagtg accttagtga 50 tccctccggg tggatggtcc agtttggcca gctgacttcc atgccatcct 100 tctggagcct gcaggcctag tacacccgtt acttcgtatc gaatatctat 150 ctgagccctc gctacctggg gaattcaccc tatgacattg ccttggtgaa 200 gctgtctgca cctgtcacct acactaaaca catccagccc atctgtctcc 250 aggcctccac atttgagttt gagaaccgga cagactgctg ggtgactggc 300 tgggggtaca tcaaagagga tgaggcactg ccatctcccc acaccctcca 350 ggaagttcag gtcgccatca taaacaactc tatgtgcaac cacctcttcc 400 tcaagtacag tttccgcaag gacatctttg gagacatggt ttgtgctggc 450 aatgcccaag gcgggaagga tgcctgcttc ggtgactcag gtggaccc 498 178 166 PRT Unknown amino acid sequence of TADG-16 catalytic domain 178 Trp Ala Leu Thr Ala Ala His Cys Phe Glu Thr Tyr Ser Asp Leu 5 10 15 Ser Asp Pro Ser Gly Trp Met Val Gln Phe Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser 20 25 30 Met Pro Ser Phe Trp Ser Leu Gln Ala Tyr Tyr Thr Arg Tyr Phe 35 40 45 Val Ser Asn Ile Tyr Leu Ser Pro Arg Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ser Pro 50 55 60 Tyr Asp Ile Ala Leu Val Lys Ser Leu Ala Pro Val Thr Tyr Thr 65 70 75 Lys His Ile Gln Pro Ile Cys Leu Gln Ala Ser Thr Phe Glu Phe 80 85 90 Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp Cys Trp Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Tyr Ile Lys 95 100 105 Glu Asp Glu Ala Leu Pro Ser Pro His Thr Leu Gln Glu Val Gln 110 115 120 Val Ala Ile Ile Asn Asn Ser Met Cys Asn His Leu Phe Leu Lys 125 130 135 Tyr Ser Phe Arg Lys Asp Ile Phe Gly Asp Met Val Cys Ala Gly 140 145 150 Asn Ala Gln Gly Gly Lys Asp Ala Cys Phe Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly 155 160 165 Pro 166 179 500 DNA Unknown Accession No. AA620757 179 tttttttttt ttgaagaatg ccctgcaagg catcaactgg aatgtgttta 50 ttaccaaaca agacagaaga gaaccagggc ctgacttggc agtggcccag 100 gctgcatggg ctcaggtagg ctcagaccgg ccccaggagt gggagagccc 150 agagaagagg gaaaaagagt agtggccagg aggggtctgg ctgggacatg 200 ccactctggg ccatcagctt ctggatccac tcaaagtggt ggctcatatt 250 ggtgtagaca ccgggccgat tgggcgacca cagcccactc cccagctcac 300 gactccaatc tgataccaca gtccattctt gttacaggcc aagggtccac 350 ctgagtcacc gaagcaggca tccttcccgc acttgggcat tgccagcaca 400 aaccatgtct ccaaagatgt ccttgcggaa actgtacttg aggaagaggt 450 ggttgcacat agagttgttt atgatggcga actgaacttc ctggagggtg 500 

What is claimed is:
 1. DNA encoding a tumor antigen-derived gene (TADG-16) protein, selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein.
 2. The DNA of claim 1, wherein said DNA has the sequence shown in SEQ ID No.
 1. 3. The DNA of claim 1, wherein said TADG-16 protein has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No.
 2. 4. An oligonucleotide having the nucleotide sequence complementary to a sequence of claim
 1. 5. A composition comprising the oligonucleotide according to claim 4 and a physiologically acceptable carrier therefore.
 6. A vector comprising the DNA of claim 1 and regulatory elements necessary for expression of said DNA in a cell.
 7. The vector of claim 6, wherein said DNA encodes a TADG-16 protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No.
 2. 8. The vector of claim 6, wherein said DNA is positioned in reverse orientation relative to said regulatory elements such that TADG-16 antisense mRNA is produced.
 9. A host cell transfected with the vector of claim 6 said vector expressing a TADG-16 protein.
 10. The host cell of claim 9, wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of bacterial cells, mammalian cells, plant cells and insect cells.
 11. The host cell of claim 10, wherein said bacterial cell is E. coli.
 12. Isolated and purified TADG-16 protein coded for by DNA selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-16 protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-16 protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a TADG-16 protein.
 13. The TADG-16 protein of claim 12, wherein said protein has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No.
 2. 14. An antibody, wherein said antibody is specific for TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof.
 15. A method for detecting TADG-16 mRNA in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a sample with a probe, wherein said probe is specific for TADG-16; and (b) detecting binding of said probe to TADG-16 mRNA in said sample.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said sample is a biological sample.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said biological sample is from an individual.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said individual is suspected of having cancer.
 19. A kit for detecting TADG-16 mRNA, comprising: an oligonucleotide probe, wherein said probe is specific for TADG-16.
 20. The kit of claim 19, further comprising: a label with which to label said probe; and means for detecting said label.
 21. A method of detecting TADG-16 protein in a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a sample with an antibody, wherein said antibody is specific for TADG-16 or a fragment thereof; and (b) detecting binding of said antibody to TADG-16 protein in said sample.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said sample is a biological sample.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said biological sample is from an individual.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said individual is suspected of having cancer.
 25. A kit for detecting TADG-16 protein, comprising: an antibody, wherein said antibody is specific for TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof.
 26. The kit of claim 25, further comprising: means to detect said antibody.
 27. A method of inhibiting endogenous expression of TADG-16 in a cell, comprising the step of: (a) introducing the vector of claim 8 into a cell, wherein expression of said vector produces TADG-16 antisense mRNA in said cell, wherein said TADG-16 antisense mRNA hybridizes to endogenous TADG-16 mRNA, thereby inhibiting endogenous expression of TADG-16 in said cell.
 28. A method of inhibiting a TADG-16 protein in a cell, comprising the step of: introducing an antibody into a cell, wherein said antibody is specific for a TADG-16 protein or a fragment thereof, wherein binding of said antibody to said TADG-16 protein inhibits said TADG-16 protein.
 29. A method of treating a neoplastic state in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to said individual an effective dose of the oligonucleotide of claim
 4. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said neoplastic state is selected from the group consisting of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer.
 31. A method of vaccinating an individual against TADG-16, comprising the steps of: inoculating an individual with a TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof, wherein said TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof lack TADG-16 protease activity, wherein said inoculation with said TADG-16 protein or fragment thereof elicits an immune response in said individual, thereby vaccinating said individual against TADG-16.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein said TADG-16 fragment is selected from the group consisting of a 9-residue fragment up to a 20-residue fragment.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said 9-residue fragment is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 17, 18, 19, 77, 78, 79, 80, 97, 98, 99, 137, 138, 139, 140 and
 141. 34. The method of claim 31, wherein said individual has cancer, is suspected of having cancer or is at risk of getting cancer.
 35. An immunogenic composition, comprising a n immunogenic fragment of a TADG-16 protein and an adjuvant.
 36. The immunogenic composition of claim 35, wherein said fragment is selected from the group consisting of a 9-residue fragment up to a 20-residue fragment.
 37. The immunogenic composition of claim 36, wherein said 9-residue fragment is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 17, 18, 19, 77, 78, 79, 80, 97, 98, 99, 137, 138, 139, 140 and
 141. 38. A method of diagnosing cancer in an individual, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a biological sample from an individual; (b) detecting TADG-16 in said sample, wherein the presence of TADG-16 in said sample is indicative of the presence of carcinoma in said individual, wherein the absence of TADG-16 in said sample is indicative of the absence of carcinoma in said individual.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, saliva, tears, interstitial
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein said detection of said TADG-16 is by means selected from the group consisting of Northern blot, Western blot, PCR, dot blot, ELIZA sandwich assay, radioimmunoassay, DNA array chips and flow cytometry of tumor cells, wherein said tumor cells are labeled.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein said carcinoma is selected from the group consisting of ovarian, breast, lung, colon, prostate and other in which TADG-16 is overexpressed.
 42. A method of screening for compounds that inhibit TADG-16, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a sample with a compound, wherein said sample comprises TADG-16 protein; and (b) assaying for TADG-16 protease activity, wherein a decrease in said TADG-16 protease activity in the presence of said compound relative to TADG-16 protease activity in the absence of said compound is indicative of a compound that inhibits TADG-16.
 43. A method of targeted therapy to an individual, comprising the step of: administering a compound to an individual, wherein said compound has a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety, wherein said targeting moiety is specific for TADG-16.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein said targeting moiety is selected from the group consisting of an antibody specific for TADG-16 and a ligand that binds TADG-16 or a ligand binding domain thereof.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein said therapeutic moiety is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a toxin, a chemotherapeutic agent, an immune stimulant and a cytotoxic agent.
 46. The method of claim 43, wherein said individual suffers from a cancer selected from the group consisting of ovarian, lung, prostate, colon and others in which TADG-16 is overexpressed. 